The seven-card Horse Shoe is a convenient, basic layout that can be used to answer different types of questions, especially concerning questions where insight would be helpful. Like several other spreads, it has cards representing the past, present, and future.
The pinnacle of the Horse Shoe, looking like the top of the mountain, shows the obstacle or challenge that needs to be addressed and overcome. Card #6 suggests a course of action to meet this challenge. The final card shows the outcome or future, should this advice be followed.
Other clues are provided in Cards #3 and #5, which indicate hidden or outside influences that come into play, affecting the journey to your goal.
Obstacle  The House |
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Hidden Influences  The Rods |
External Influences  The Rider |
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The Present  The Fish |
Suggestion  The Gentleman |
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The Past  The Heart |
The Outcome  The Clover |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
The Heart
Love, feelings, the heart of something, connection, the Soul.
The Fish
Intellectualism, psychic abilities, material success, luxury, and wealth. Also, instability, excess, drugs, and alcohol. The Fish is a sign of great fortune, but also a warning to set boundaries or luxury may lead to corruption.
The Rods
The Rod represents family quarrels, arguments, heated debate, domestic trouble, strife, cleansing by fire, consequences, and the number two and duality. This card indicates the need to make some significant changes in your domestic situation.
The House
Stability, shelter, home life, family, and responsibility. The House also indicates success in creative projects.
The Rider
Thoughts, good news, precognition, an augury. This is a messenger of good fortune, perhaps a young man. Your intentions will go well.
The Gentleman
If you are a man, this is the card that represents you. All other cards in your reading are interpreted by their proximity to this card.
If you are a woman, this card represents a powerful man who will have a significant positive influence on your life: a friend, husband, significant other, boyfriend, love. Could also indicate action, aggressiveness, logic, or will-power.
The Clover
The Clover is a symbol of good luck, hope, simplicity, and nature. This card indicates a sudden burst of good luck coming your way.