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  5 of Spades |
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Hidden Influences  5 of Clubs |
External Influences  Ace of Hearts |
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The Present  8 of Diamonds |
Suggestion  Queen of Hearts |
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The Past  Queen of Diamonds |
The Outcome  2 of Clubs |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
Queen of Diamonds
This card symbolises a fair-haired woman who may like to gossip or meddle in other people's business. She is intelligent, charismatic, and practical, and perhaps flirtatious.
8 of Diamonds
This card suggests knowledge of construction, agriculture, or material affairs. There is a slow and steady, unwavering progression – perhaps one who is late to bloom or saving the best for last.
5 of Clubs
This is a sign of disconnection with the spiritual source. Discontentment with oneself leads to friction in relationships. There may be opposition from friends or associates, quarrelling, strife, and failure of projects, but you would be well served to look within as to the source of this.
5 of Spades
This represents a situation where you can't win. There is a sense of weakness and loss attached to this symbol. Setbacks, interference, and anxiety are common interpretations of this card.
Ace of Hearts
The first card of the Hearts suit suggests new attitudes opening one up to friendship, love, and personal contentment that can lead to a shared happiness between like-minded individuals.
Queen of Hearts
This card suggests a fair-haired woman with a gentle and pleasant personality. She is almost stereotypically passive and receptive. This card is particularly influenced by the energies of the adjacent cards in a reading. She may have the heart of a poet.
2 of Clubs
This is a symbol of ownership, territory, and concern with possessions. The energy of this card represents power and domination, but not necessarily with selfish intentions. Sometimes dominion can be mostly a matter of security, but this card reminds us to be careful concerning this matter.