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  10 of Diamonds |
||
Hidden Influences  10 of Hearts |
External Influences  Queen of Spades |
|
The Present  10 of Spades |
Suggestion  King of Clubs |
|
The Past  7 of Diamonds |
The Outcome  Ace of Diamonds |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
7 of Diamonds
This represents an unfortunate time of loss. Losing is indicated – as in bad luck at gambling, fighting and losing, or building towards the construction of a monumental failure. Sometimes it may be better to just give up.
10 of Spades
This is regarded as probably the worst symbol in the deck of playing cards. This card means absolute rock bottom, a period of mental breakdown and insanity. There will be an end to misery once the walls of your delusion fall to ruins. On the bright side, there will be a moment of clarity leading to rebirth.
10 of Hearts
This sign indicates pleasures fulfilled yet somehow incomplete. A brooding passion overflows beyond the limits some are willing to accept. Insatiability is indicated by the presence of this card.
10 of Diamonds
There will be surprising financial opportunities. Material prosperity will be certain. This is the card of established material wealth.
Queen of Spades
This symbolises a dark-haired woman who may be attractive, seductive, and/or unscrupulous. You should be on your toes because deception is in the air. Is it possible that you are deceiving yourself?
King of Clubs
The king signifies a dark-haired man. He is generous, faithful, open-minded and honest, though he can sometimes let pride go to his head. At his worst, he can unfortunately project his own repressions onto others.
Ace of Diamonds
The first card of the Diamonds suit often foretells the arrival of a valuable message or especially meaningful gift. More specifically this can often represent a ring, or more generally can refer to gifts of sustenance or money.