Temperance

Temperance

Basic Meaning of the Card (Rider-Waite)

Temperance is the fourteenth card in the Tarot’s Major Arcana and symbolizes balance, harmony, and moderation. The card’s image shows an angel balancing two cups and pouring water between them, which represents harmony and balance between different elements and forces. It is a reminder of the importance of maintaining balance in your life and adapting to different situations.

Upright Meaning

When Temperance appears upright in a Tarot reading, it means that it is important to focus on balance, harmony, and moderation in your life. The card urges you to be aware of your needs and limitations and to seek equilibrium between work and leisure, emotions and reason, as well as between giving and taking. It is a time for self-reflection and striving for inner harmony.

Reversed Meaning

If Temperance is reversed in a reading, it may indicate that you are experiencing imbalance or disharmony in your life. It could mean that you are having difficulty finding balance between different areas of your life or that you are struggling to adapt to changes. The card urges you to focus on finding balance and to be patient with yourself and your situation.

Example Interpretation

If Temperance appears in a reading alongside the Nine of Pentacles and the King of Swords, it can be interpreted as a period of balance and harmony (Temperance) leading to independence, well-being, and success in the material plane (Nine of Pentacles). To achieve this, it is important to use logic, clarity, and objective thinking (King of Swords) to make well-grounded decisions and navigate through this period of change.

Psychological Interpretation

Archetypal Meanings

The card Temperance is often associated with the archetype of balance and moderation. It represents the ability to find harmony and equilibrium in all aspects of life. This archetype also symbolizes the union of opposites, such as the blending of the masculine and feminine energies, the spiritual and physical realms, and the conscious and unconscious mind.

Behavioral Patterns

Individuals who embody the energy of Temperance tend to have a calm and steady demeanor. They are able to approach situations with a level head and make decisions that are not influenced by extreme emotions. They also have a strong sense of self-control and are able to resist impulses or temptations that may lead to negative consequences.

On the other hand, those who struggle with the energy of Temperance may exhibit extreme behaviors, such as indulging in excessive behaviors or being unable to find balance in their lives. They may also struggle with self-control and have difficulty managing their emotions.

Integration and Shadow Work

To work with the energies of Temperance, one must strive for balance and moderation in their thoughts, actions, and emotions. This involves acknowledging and integrating both the light and shadow aspects of the self. By facing and accepting our shadow side, we can find inner harmony and a sense of wholeness.

Shadow work with Temperance can also involve examining any imbalances in our lives and actively seeking to restore harmony. This could mean setting boundaries, learning to say no, or finding a healthy balance between work and play.

Ultimately, the card Temperance reminds us to find balance in all aspects of our lives, and to embrace the union of opposites within ourselves in order to achieve inner peace and harmony.


More Tarot Cards In "Major Arcana"

Strength

Strength is a tarot card that symbolizes self-control, strength and courage. It also represents the ability to overcome obstacles and to handle adversity. It is a sign that the person has the necessary strength and power to achieve their goals.

Strength

The Chariot

The Chariot tarot card symbolizes a journey or a quest that is facing a person. It stands for power, victory and success that can be achieved by balancing opposing forces and finding a way to unite them to create unity. It also represents the will to take control of one's own life and to realize one's dreams.

The Chariot

The Devil

The Devil tarot card symbolizes feelings of being trapped in a destructive pattern or situation. The card also symbolizes a call to take responsibility for one's actions and overcome limiting behaviors. It can also indicate that one should avoid allowing oneself to get caught in traps created by others.

The Devil

The Emperor

The Emperor is a tarot card that symbolizes authority and leadership. It stands for control, structure, and regulation. It also represents a fatherly figure who has the necessary experience and knowledge to lead others. It can also mean that one should be responsible, enterprising, and have a will to take control of their actions.

The Emperor

The Empress

The Tarot card The Empress symbolizes creation, possibilities, and refinement. It also represents female strength and courage, parenting and creativity. It stands for an abundance of energy, kindness and goodwill. It also strengthens the ability to create new situations and to fulfill dreams.

The Empress

The Fool

The Fool is a tarot card that symbolizes a new beginning, an adventure and unknown potential. It also represents a person who is willing to take risks and trust their intuition. It is a card that advocates for change, growth and new opportunities.

The Fool

The Hanged Man

The Hanged Man tarot card symbolizes a moment of stillness and surrender. It depicts a person hanging upside down from a tree branch, indicating that one must let go of control and allow things to happen. It can also mean that one must take a step back and look at the situation from a different perspective.

The Hanged Man

The Hermit

The Hermit tarot card symbolizes a person seeking self-reflection, after going within and searching for the answers that lie within. It stands for solitude and inner journey, and represents a person who is about to step out of their comfort zone and bravely take a step into unknown territory.

The Hermit

The Hierophant

The Hierophant tarot card symbolizes traditional teaching and religious instruction. It also represents a mentor who helps guide us to a better life. It can also represent a role model that we can look up to and learn from. The card stands for the transfer of knowledge, guidance, power, and authority.

The Hierophant

The High Priestess

The High Priestess tarot card symbolizes intuition, mystery and spirituality. It also represents the ability to seek out deeper meaning and knowledge. It symbolizes knowledge, secrets and the possibility of finding answers within oneself. It is a sign to trust one's intuition and follow it to find the right path.

The High Priestess

The Lovers

The Tarot card The Lovers symbolizes love, determination, and choice. It represents a powerful moment of infatuation and emotional closeness between two people who are facing an important decision. It reminds us that we all have the power to choose our own happiness.

The Lovers

The Magician

The Magician tarot card symbolizes the ability to transform and create something new. It stands for creativity, intuition and power. It also represents a person who has the ability to handle different elements to create something new. The card stands for the rebirth of ideas, solutions and changes.

The Magician

The Moon

The Moon tarot card symbolizes mystery, intuition, and dreams. It depicts a moon illuminating a forest-like landscape, with two dogs standing along the path and a turtle shell floating in the water. It represents uncertainty and that we may not always be able to see the whole picture. It can also warn of dangers that may be lurking in the darkness. It can mean it is time to listen to your intuition and follow your dreams.

The Moon

The Star

The Tarot card The Star symbolizes hope, optimism and renewal. It represents comfort and support after a difficult period, and encourages us to follow our dreams and never give up. It is a sign that we are protected on our journey and that we can trust that the way forward is bright.

The Star

The Sun

The Tarot card The Sun symbolizes the light, joy, and hope. It represents love, harmony, and success. It stands for enlightenment and positive energy and means that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It can also mean that you have reached a stage of personal growth where you are ready to take new steps.

The Sun

The Tower

The Tarot card The Tower often symbolizes a feeling of chaos and change which can be very frightening. It is a sign that there are big changes coming that will shake up our lives and make us look at things from a different perspective. It can also be a sign that we must leave behind what is familiar and comfortable to make room for new possibilities.

The Tower

The World

The Tarot card The World symbolizes the end of a cycle and is a sign of perfection, balance and realization. It represents feelings of joy, fulfillment and an emotional goal that has been achieved. It also symbolizes a new beginning and is a sign that one has overcome all obstacles and is ready to start anew.

The World

Wheel of Fortune

The Tarot card Wheel of Fortune often symbolizes a fate that follows a cycle of fortune and chance. It typically depicts a wheel-shaped circle with a number of symbols representing different aspects of life. The card can represent the constant change that occurs in life, that everything is ephemeral and that nothing is permanent. Wheel of Fortune can also symbolize the power to create one's own luck and to take responsibility for one's actions.

Wheel of Fortune

Death

The Tarot card Death symbolizes a change or a new beginning. It stands for transformation and renewal, and is a sign that it is time to let go of the old and welcome the new. It can also mean that it is time to leave old habits and patterns behind and create new ones.

Death

Judgment

The Tarot card of Judgment symbolizes a moment of awakening and renewal. It represents a moment of insight and understanding that leads to new levels of liberation and transformation. It is a sign that it is time to let go of the past and take the steps needed to move forward towards a new beginning.

Judgment

Justice

The Tarot card Justice symbolizes justice, balance and order. It represents the distribution of justice and the consequences of our actions. It can also symbolize that one must take responsibility for one's own life and stand by their actions and face the consequences.

Justice