Major Arcana
An angel stands with one foot in the water and one on land, gently pouring liquid between two golden cups. Irises bloom nearby and a distant mountain path leads to a golden crown. Temperance embodies balance, patience, divine timing, the alchemical blending of opposites into harmony.
Upright
Reversed
Quick meaning
Temperance represents an angel stands with one foot in the water and one on land, gently pouring liquid between two golden cups. Irises bloom nearby and a distant mountain path leads to a golden crown. Temperance embodies balance, patience, divine timing, the alchemical blending of opposites into harmony.
Use the symbol
In a yes or no tarot reading, Temperance is best read through its condition. Upright, it points toward Balance, Peace, Patience, Moderation. Reversed, it suggests Imbalance, Self-indulgence, Excess, Clashing. The answer depends on whether the situation is moving with the upright lesson or stuck in the reversed pattern.
As advice, Temperance asks you to work with the card's main lesson rather than react from fear. Start with the upright meaning: In a general context, the Temperance Tarot card signifies balance, peace, patience and moderation.
As feelings, Temperance can describe someone experiencing the card's emotional tone. In love readings, its upright energy is: In a love Tarot reading, if you are in a relationship, the Temperance Tarot card is one of the best cards you can get.
Reversed, Temperance points to what may be blocked, avoided, or expressed in a harder way. Use the reversed meaning as a prompt to slow down and address Imbalance, Self-indulgence, Excess, Clashing.
Energy in motion
In a general context, the Temperance Tarot card signifies balance, peace, patience and moderation. This Major Arcana card indicates that you have found your inner calm and have a good perspective on things. It is a sign that the relationships in your life are harmonious. You have learned not to allow yourself to be dragged into other people’s conflict or to let minor issues knock you off balance. Instead you adapt to the situations with a clear mind and calm heart and keep your balance. Temperance can also signify that you have found peace and tranquillity and you are feeling content. Temperance indicates that you are truly in touch with who you are inside, what you value and your own moral compass and you are finding it easier to figure out your aspirations and set yourself goals.
In a love Tarot reading, if you are in a relationship, the Temperance Tarot card is one of the best cards you can get. It signifies a harmonious relationship where you and your partner find the perfect balance of love, commitment and respect. It is also a signifier of soulmates. If you have been having relationship problems, Temperance is an indicator that you will both resolve whatever issues have been holding your relationship back in order to move forward together. If you are single, Temperance is an indicator that you will be learning to balance the other areas of your life in order to make room for a loving partner to come into your life. Once you have done this you will attract the right partner to you.
In a career context, Temperance tells you that now, is a great time to set goals as you have the patience and persistence to achieve what you want. Your hard work and dedication will be noticed with Temperance upright in your Tarot spread. If you are hoping for a promotion or career advancement, Temperance tells you to be patient and not to jump at the first opportunity if there is a chance for something better further down the line. In a financial context, things should be going well as you should have balanced finances. However, be careful to practice moderation in relation to money as now is a time to maintain the balance and build your savings up at a steady pace rather than take risks with money or make risky investments.
In a health context, the Temperance Tarot card indicates that moderation is the key to good health so if you need to get any unhealthy habits under control, you will find that now is a great time to do it. If you have been experiencing any health issues, look to the areas of your life or health where you have been overdoing it or under-doing it. Bringing balance these areas may give you the healing boost you need.
Use tarot for reflection only; it does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or care.
In a spiritual context, Temperance tells you to listen to your inner guidance and is an indicator that your spirit guides are all around you. Temperance can also signify that you are finding the right balance between your mind, body and spirit. Remember to have patience as you follow your spiritual path and know that everything is happening at the pace it is meant to.
Energy under tension
In a general context, Temperance reversed indicates imbalance or overindulgence. This Major Arcana card can be an indicator that you are behaving in a hasty or reckless fashion. It can be a signifier of many issues with excessive or harmful indulgences such as drinking, drug use, gambling, overeating, shopping and the list goes on. The Temperance Tarot card in a reversed position may be telling you that you have lost touch with your own inner calm and tranquillity which can lead you to seek gratification in risky, harmful ways. Temperance reversed can also indicate a lack of harmony with the people in your life so you may find yourself clashing with those closest to you or allowing yourself to be dragged into other people’s drama. You may be lacking perspective and not looking at the bigger picture. You would do well to take a step back and take a look at how you are behaving, examine the root causes and work on resolving them.
In a love Tarot spread, if you are in a relationship, Temperance reversed can indicate conflict and clashes caused by an imbalance in the relationship. This may be a result of one of you feeling like you care more than the other or feeling like the love and respect you show your partner is not reciprocated. There is a lack of harmony in the relationship and you may find that you are arguing with each other, that you’re not willing to listen to each other. You may also find yourselves being outright antagonistic with each other and trying to point score rather than working together to resolve your issues. Try to calm the situation down and find your own inner balance so that you can better cope with the issues you are facing and make yourself more open to finding solutions. If you are single, Temperance reversed can indicate that you are giving too much of yourself too soon to the people you’re interested in. This can be simply that you’re trying too hard or coming across as too eager or it can indicate promiscuity or coming across as completely desperate! Try to be patient if you’re looking for love. Don’t be hasty or try to force a relationship before you’ve gotten to know someone properly. Just relax, try to find your own inner balance and let any new romance develop at its own pace.
In a career context, the Temperance Tarot card reversed can signify an imbalance or conflict in a work situation. You may be working too hard or not working hard enough or you could be clashing with your co-workers. It can also indicate that you are ignoring or reacting negatively to constructive criticism. Whatever the issue, you need to look inward to re-balance your own energy in order to resolve this situation. Financially, if you are having issues you need to nip them in the bud immediately. Watch out for impulsive spending as you find yourself looking for instant gratification to distract you from the imbalance you’re feeling inside. You need to slow down and reconnect with yourself to find peace. Excessive spending will bring you debt, not inner tranquillity!
Temperance reversed in a health context is a very strong indicator that you are out of balance in some areas of your life that are having a knock on effect on your health. The Temperance Tarot card reversed can also be a sign of unhealthy or harmful excesses when it appears in a Tarot spread so be mindful of what you are putting into your body at this time. You need to connect to how you are feeling, figure out what issues may be causing you to seek comfort in unhealthy ways and resolve those issues to bring your balance back.
Use tarot for reflection only; it does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or care.
In spiritual terms, Temperance reversed tells you that you are spiritually imbalanced. You may feel like you have lost your connection to your inner guidance or your spirit guides. It is also an indicator of an imbalance between mind, body and soul. You should consider doing some energy work and meditation to bring you back into balance. You may want to consider seeking the help of a professional, if you are finding self-balancing is not working for you at the moment.
Cards in conversation
Together, Temperance and The Fool blend the lesson of temperance with the energy of the fool. This pairing asks you to read the cards as a relationship between the central theme and the fool stands at the edge of a cliff, knapsack over his shoulder, gazing upward with youthful abandon.
Together, Temperance and The Magician blend the lesson of temperance with the energy of the magician. This pairing asks you to read the cards as a relationship between the central theme and the magician stands before a table bearing all four suit symbols — wand, cup, sword, and pentacle — one hand raised to the heavens and one pointing...
Together, Temperance and The High Priestess blend the lesson of temperance with the energy of the high priestess. This pairing asks you to read the cards as a relationship between the central theme and the high priestess sits between two pillars — boaz and jachin — at the threshold of the sacred temple.
Clarify the card
In a general context, the Temperance Tarot card signifies balance, peace, patience and moderation. This Major Arcana card indicates that you have found your inner calm and have a good perspective on things. It is a sign that the relationships in your life are harmonious. You have learned not to allow yourself to be dragged into other people’s conflict or to let minor issues knock you off balance. Instead you adapt to the situations with a clear mind and calm heart and keep your balance. Temperance can also signify that you have found peace and tranquillity and you are feeling content. Temperance indicates that you are truly in touch with who you are inside, what you value and your own moral compass and you are finding it easier to figure out your aspirations and set yourself goals.
In a general context, Temperance reversed indicates imbalance or overindulgence. This Major Arcana card can be an indicator that you are behaving in a hasty or reckless fashion. It can be a signifier of many issues with excessive or harmful indulgences such as drinking, drug use, gambling, overeating, shopping and the list goes on. The Temperance Tarot card in a reversed position may be telling you that you have lost touch with your own inner calm and tranquillity which can lead you to seek gratification in risky, harmful ways. Temperance reversed can also indicate a lack of harmony with the people in your life so you may find yourself clashing with those closest to you or allowing yourself to be dragged into other people’s drama. You may be lacking perspective and not looking at the bigger picture. You would do well to take a step back and take a look at how you are behaving, examine the root causes and work on resolving them.
In a love Tarot reading, if you are in a relationship, the Temperance Tarot card is one of the best cards you can get. It signifies a harmonious relationship where you and your partner find the perfect balance of love, commitment and respect. It is also a signifier of soulmates. If you have been having relationship problems, Temperance is an indicator that you will both resolve whatever issues have been holding your relationship back in order to move forward together. If you are single, Temperance is an indicator that you will be learning to balance the other areas of your life in order to make room for a loving partner to come into your life. Once you have done this you will attract the right partner to you.
In a career context, Temperance tells you that now, is a great time to set goals as you have the patience and persistence to achieve what you want. Your hard work and dedication will be noticed with Temperance upright in your Tarot spread. If you are hoping for a promotion or career advancement, Temperance tells you to be patient and not to jump at the first opportunity if there is a chance for something better further down the line. In a financial context, things should be going well as you should have balanced finances. However, be careful to practice moderation in relation to money as now is a time to maintain the balance and build your savings up at a steady pace rather than take risks with money or make risky investments.
The Temperance is best read by context in yes or no questions. Upright, it points toward Balance, Peace, Patience, Moderation. Reversed, it suggests Imbalance, Self-indulgence, Excess, Clashing.
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