Card guide

Temperance

Temperance card artwork
Major ArcanaXIV
In plain words

“The card of attunement: blending two currents in the right measure to restore inner equilibrium”

Keywords

  • Balance
  • Attunement
  • Temperance
  • Moderation
  • Patience
  • Healing
  • Fusion
  • Recovery
  • Peace
  • Stability
  • Gentleness
  • Self-management
  • Harmony
  • Purification

Symbols in the picture

  1. Water flowing between two cups

    The rabbit in the image pours a sparkling stream of water from one cup into another. It shows the essence of Temperance: blending two different things together to create a new harmony. It symbolizes the attitude of finding the right proportion without leaning toward extremes.

  2. One foot planted by the water

    One foot stands on a wet stone by the stream, while the other stands on dry land. It represents a sense of balance with one foot in both the unconscious and reality, emotion and reason. It carries the carefulness of not becoming immersed in only one side.

  3. Triangle emblem on the chest

    A golden triangle is clearly drawn on the chest of the white garment. It signifies a clear mind that has mastered heated energy and returned it to its proper place. It symbolizes the quiet clarity that arrives after the waves of emotion have subsided.

  4. Sun ornament on the headband

    A sun-shaped ornament sits at the center of the golden headband around the forehead. It represents an unwavering, awakened consciousness and the inner center that governs the self. It embodies the virtue of Temperance: maintaining your own rhythm without becoming unbalanced.

  5. Winding stream

    The waterway that begins at the feet winds toward the right side of the image and forms a small waterfall. It symbolizes the unobstructed flow of life and the natural circulation of emotions. It teaches that life continues smoothly when you do not forcefully block the current.

  6. Fully spread white wings

    Large white wings stretch broadly to both sides behind the back. They show a being that embraces opposing forces such as day and night, active and passive, within one body. They signify the wisdom of integration that harmonizes rather than rejects opposing things.

  7. White lily by the water

    A pure-white lily blooms beside the path. It symbolizes the refined grace cultivated by a pure heart that has released excess desire and embraced Temperance. It represents the beauty that blooms from a clear, well-ordered inner world.

Upright · Reversed

Upright

balance · moderation · patience

Reversed

excess · imbalance · impatience

When you balance things without rushing, your heart flows like clear water.

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