Learning Major Arcana - Temperance (14)

Temperance: The Card of Balance and Harmony

Temperance is a card that embodies the essence of balance, moderation, and patience. It’s often seen as a gentle but powerful reminder that everything in life should be approached with balance, not extremes. The card encourages you to find the middle ground, act thoughtfully, and make wise, measured decisions. It speaks to the need to blend opposites, creating harmony in your life by integrating diverse elements. When this card appears, it’s a call to align your actions with your higher purpose, embracing patience and calmness as you navigate your path.

Imagery and Symbolism of Temperance

The imagery on the Temperance card is often centred around an angelic figure, standing with one foot on land and one foot in water, representing the balance between the spiritual and the material, or the conscious and unconscious realms. In one hand, the angel holds a cup or chalice, and in the other, there’s usually a stream of liquid flowing from one vessel to another. This signifies the blending of different elements—such as emotions, energies, and actions—into a harmonious whole.

The water flowing between the cups represents a constant exchange and flow of energy, suggesting that what you give will be returned in kind. There’s also a sense of alchemy to the card: turning base metals into gold, finding beauty in the mix of opposites, and creating something new and harmonious from what might seem like separate or conflicting energies.

Temperance encourages you to stay calm and composed, avoiding rash decisions or extremes. It's about navigating life in a way that ensures equilibrium, whether it’s in your thoughts, emotions, or actions.

Upright Meaning of Temperance

When Temperance appears upright in a reading, it’s a clear sign that balance and moderation are key to achieving success and happiness in your current situation. This card calls for you to blend different elements of your life, such as work and personal time, or action and reflection, to create a more harmonious flow. You might be urged to avoid overindulgence, whether in food, relationships, or work, as it’s only by walking the middle path that long-term success and peace will be found.

Temperance is also a card of healing and patience. It suggests that you're in a phase where things need to come into alignment, but it will take time. There’s no rush here—everything is happening at the right pace. This is a time to be calm and trusting, knowing that the Universe is helping you blend the necessary ingredients for your life’s recipe to come together beautifully.

If you’ve been struggling with a particular issue or feeling overwhelmed, Temperance brings a message of peace, suggesting that through moderation, reflection, and balance, you’ll find your way. It’s a sign that harmony is possible and that things will come into alignment in time if you’re patient and stay composed.

Reversed Meaning of Temperance

When Temperance appears reversed, it often indicates that there is a lack of balance or harmony in your life. You may be feeling overwhelmed, pulled in too many directions, or struggling with excess in some area of your life. This could mean overindulgence in certain activities or an inability to see both sides of a situation. In the reversed position, Temperance warns against extremes and urges you to avoid burning yourself out by pushing too hard in one direction.

There may be a lack of patience, or you might be rushing things instead of allowing them to develop at their own pace. The reversed Temperance card can also signal that you’re not integrating different aspects of your life as well as you could be—perhaps ignoring one part of yourself in favour of another, which creates inner tension or discord. It’s important to address what’s out of balance in your life and to make adjustments, whether that means finding more time for rest, more structure, or a better way to blend different commitments and responsibilities.

Temperance in Love

In love readings, Temperance brings a message of balance, harmony, and blending two people or energies into a unified whole. If you're in a relationship, it suggests that things are in a good place, as both partners are working together to create harmony. This might be a time when both individuals are meeting each other’s needs in a balanced and moderate way, without either person overcompensating or underperforming. It could also represent a relationship that is helping you find a sense of inner peace, where you’re learning to navigate differences with patience and understanding.

For those who are single, Temperance suggests that you might find a partner who complements you well, someone who balances you out in a positive way. It also encourages you to be patient in matters of the heart, not rushing into anything, but waiting for the right person or the right moment. If you've been seeking love or struggling in relationships, Temperance advises you to focus on your own balance and self-care first, as it’s through inner peace that healthy relationships can be built.

Reversed Meaning of Temperance in Love

In a reversed position, Temperance can indicate that there is disharmony or imbalance in a relationship. This may be a sign that one partner is overgiving while the other is withdrawing, or it could point to extreme emotions or behaviours that are disrupting the peace. It may also signal that you or your partner are not taking the time to truly understand each other, creating a sense of friction or disconnect. This card warns against rushing into or forcing a relationship and advises you to slow down and reassess what’s working and what isn’t.

If you're single, the reversed Temperance card may suggest impatience in your search for love. You may be feeling desperate or trying to rush the process, which can lead to unhealthy relationships or unrealistic expectations. It’s a reminder that love, like everything else in life, requires patience and balance, and the more you focus on finding balance within yourself, the more you’ll attract that into your romantic life.

Temperance in Feelings

Temperance in feelings is a card of emotional balance and equilibrium. If you’ve been experiencing emotional turbulence or a rollercoaster of ups and downs, the appearance of this card suggests that you are beginning to find your emotional centre. It could indicate a time when you're gaining control over your emotions, responding thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively. You might be learning to combine different emotions—such as joy and sadness—into a more harmonious understanding of yourself.

In relationships, it suggests that you are in a peaceful, balanced emotional state, where you can approach matters of the heart with patience and clarity. If you’ve been dealing with emotional challenges, Temperance promises a return to calm and peace, urging you to trust that things will fall into place when you allow them to unfold naturally.

Reversed Meaning of Temperance in Feelings

When reversed, Temperance can suggest emotional imbalance, perhaps feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or disconnected. You might be feeling pulled in opposite directions, struggling to find emotional peace or calm. This could be a sign that you're overindulging in certain feelings—such as stress, anger, or sadness—or perhaps not acknowledging emotions that need to be processed.

If you’re in a relationship, the reversed card may signal that one or both partners are emotionally out of sync, causing friction or misunderstandings. It’s important to take time to restore balance, either by giving each other space or engaging in open and honest conversations about how you’re both feeling. The reversed Temperance card advises you to avoid extremes, like ignoring your feelings or letting them overwhelm you, and instead focus on moderation, understanding, and mutual support.

Temperance in Career and Finances

In the realm of career and finances, Temperance represents a time of balance and steady progress. It suggests that you are finding a harmonious rhythm in your work life, blending your professional and personal life in a way that allows you to feel fulfilled and productive. It’s a time when you’re able to focus on long-term goals without rushing or pushing yourself too hard. It could also indicate that you’re learning how to juggle various responsibilities at work, finding an equilibrium between multiple projects or roles.

In terms of finances, Temperance encourages moderation in spending and saving. Rather than making drastic financial decisions, you are advised to take a measured approach, ensuring that your financial strategies are aligned with your long-term goals. It’s a card that suggests patience in building your wealth and finding a healthy balance between earning and saving.

Reversed Meaning of Temperance in Career and Finances

Reversed, Temperance in career and finances can point to an imbalance, whether it’s excessive work and no play, or being overwhelmed by too many tasks and responsibilities. You might be struggling to find harmony between work and life or feeling that your efforts aren’t being balanced with the results you’re seeing. The reversed card warns against rushing projects or making hasty decisions in your career or finances, as this can lead to burnout or poor outcomes.

It may also suggest overspending or making unwise financial choices that create imbalance in your financial health. The reversed Temperance card advises you to take a step back, reassess your situation, and focus on bringing balance and moderation back into your career and financial life.

Temperance in Health

Temperance in health represents a time of healing and balance in your physical and mental wellbeing. This card encourages you to find moderation in your lifestyle choices, focusing on a healthy balance between exercise, rest, and nutrition. It may also suggest that you are experiencing a time of recovery or that you’re in the process of restoring your health. If you’ve been struggling with a health issue, Temperance is a reminder that healing comes from patience, self-care, and balance.

It also advises you to avoid extremes in your health regimen—whether it’s overexercising or not exercising enough, or following extreme diets or lifestyle habits. The key to true health is moderation and consistency, not drastic changes that can be hard to maintain.

Reversed Meaning of Temperance in Health

Reversed, Temperance in health indicates that there may be an imbalance or lack of harmony in your physical or mental wellbeing. You might be overindulging in unhealthy habits, or neglecting your health altogether. Whether it’s poor eating habits, too much stress, or lack of rest, the reversed Temperance card warns that extreme behaviours are unsustainable and can lead to burnout or illness. This is a reminder to find moderation, reassess your health habits, and focus on creating a balanced approach to your overall wellbeing.

Temperance in Spirituality

Spiritually, Temperance is a card of alignment, peace, and inner harmony. It indicates that you are in a period where your spiritual life is balanced, and you are blending your inner wisdom with your outer actions. This is a time when you are able to stay calm and centred, even in the face of challenges, trusting that the Universe is working with you to create the right flow. You may also find that you are being guided to integrate different spiritual practices or teachings, finding balance between different philosophies.

Reversed Meaning of Temperance in Spirituality

When reversed, Temperance in spirituality suggests that you may be feeling disconnected from your higher self, or you might be struggling to integrate different aspects of your spiritual journey. You may feel pulled in different directions, unsure of your path, or overly impatient with your spiritual progress. The reversed card encourages you to take a step back, reflect, and regain balance. Avoid extremes in your spiritual practices, and instead focus on finding harmony and patience with your spiritual growth.