7 card tarot spread
Horseshoe tarot spread
Seven cards laid in a U shape and read in order: the past, the present, hidden influences, you, others, what to do, and the outcome. Pick your cards below, see the finished horseshoe, then get the reading.
1 free reading a day. You pick all seven from the full 78-card deck, and any of them can come out reversed.
The horseshoe spread layout and its 7 positions
Seven cards in a U shape, open at the top, with card 4 at the bottom of the curve. Each card builds on the ones before it.
Read 1 to 7, down the left and up the right
The past
Events behind you that still shape the situation today.
The present
What is happening around your question right now.
Hidden influences
Something you have not seen yet, such as a problem, a motive, or a chance.
You
Your attitude to the situation and the part you play in it.
The influence of others
The people and outside circumstances pulling on the situation.
What to do
The course of action the cards point you toward.
The outcome
Where things are likely to end up if you take that advice.
Some readers turn the horseshoe the other way, open at the bottom with card 4 at the top. The order stays the same. A few readers also read card 3 as the near future instead of hidden influences.
When to use the horseshoe spread
Use it for one situation that is still unfolding, when you want to see how it got here and what to do next. Questions that work well:
- Where is this relationship going?
- What do I need to know before I change jobs?
- Why does this keep happening, and what should I do differently?
Horseshoe spread questions
What is the horseshoe tarot spread?
A seven card tarot spread laid out in the shape of a horseshoe. It follows one situation in order: the past and the present, what is hidden, you and the people around you, then a piece of advice and the outcome.
How is it different from the Celtic Cross?
The horseshoe has seven cards and reads in one line, so it is quicker to lay out and easier to follow. The ten card Celtic Cross adds positions such as the foundation and your hopes and fears, for situations with more moving parts.
What if the outcome card is negative?
The outcome shows where things go if you take the advice of card 6, so it is not fixed. Look again at cards 3 and 5: what you had not seen and who is pulling on the situation show where you can still change course.
Can I use the horseshoe spread for a yes or no question?
It works best for a situation you want to understand, not a single answer. For a straight yes or no, one card is quicker.
More spreads
For entertainment & reflection. Trust yourself first.