The Red Tent

So…a fellow Aeclectic Tarot Forum member was looking for a spread for her subconscious. Apparently, her mind wasn’t letting her sleep or rest - it happens to all of us sometimes. I quickly designed a spread to help her - three cards, very simple & straightforward.
Days later, i found out it also worked for other people, to whom insomnia had decided to pay a visit every night. So i’m sharing it here, hoping some other sleepless tarot reader will enjoy it. Sometimes it’s nice to translate our subconscious language, in order to understand it’s message.

Here it is:

………1…….
………………
…2……….3..

1. What is my subconscious trying to tell me?
2. How can i deal with that (consciously)?
3. What might hinder me? (keep you from dealing with whatever your subconscious is trying to bring to light)

It’s short…because i personally prefer shorter spreads. But if you feel the need to add more cards, please, adapt this spread as you wish!

It was designed for tarot, but can be used with any oracle you prefer.

I wish i had known this spread when i started reading tarot, instead of a mind-boggling Celtic Cross. The Horseshoe spread is really great - to the point, non complicated and yet can reach some issues very deeply. Don’t be fooled because they look small and simple

The two Horseshoes i use are the ones i learnt at Aeclectic Tarot Forum. They were posted there by Umbrae (Dan Pelletier). I’m not sure if he created this way of reading himself or if he got it from book (very unlikely), but i give him all credits for these two spreads.

Five Card Horseshoe/Small Horseshow

1. Recent Past
2. Present
3. The Unexpected
4. Near Future
5. Further Future

(Near future = 2 weeks)

Seven Card Horseshoe/ Big Horseshoe

1. Recent Past
2. Present
3. Hopes and Fears
4. The Unexpected
5. The Gate
6. Near Future
7. Further Future

(Near future = 2 weeks, Further 4-6 weeks)

(Hopes and fears = Internal influence. Unexpected = hidden external influence. The Gate = that which must be experienced - the lesson)