Ian Parkin is the author of this article.
The Temperance Tarot is more than just a symbol, it is also a spiritual guide, a gentle pusher of balance, and a mirror that reflects our inner journey of self-discovery.
In the hustle and bustle of life, Tarot cards,
The prohibition card shows up, oops!
A lighthouse in the stormy sea,
Urge us to take big steps forward.
Balance, it whispered, find your peace,
In harmony, your worries disappear.
The Joy of Temperance with Tarot Cards,
Our guiding light in the chaos of the day.
One foot on land and one foot in water,
Teach us the subtleties of life.
Through trials, love, ebbs and flows,
Moderation helps us grow.
So, remember that in difficult times,
Turn to the Temperance Tarot.
In balance and tranquility,
We find our true capabilities.
Let’s draw a scene, shall we? Imagine standing at a crossroads with your sense of time suspended like a bird in flight. You reach into the ether and draw a card from the deck of life. You see, this is a Temperance Tarot card, a beacon of harmony and patience in an often chaotic world. So put on your metaphysical explorer hat, because we’re about to delve into the maze of this fascinating card.
Key aspects of the Temperance Tarot.
Symbolic meaning:
- The Temperance card features an angel with both masculine and feminine qualities, standing with one foot on the water and one on the ground, illustrating the need to stay grounded even when thinking about spiritual matters. The angel’s robe is simple white, symbolizing purity, and is engraved with a triangle, representing spirit, and a square, symbolizing earth. Angels pour water from one golden cup to another, symbolizing the flowing and changing energy of life itself. A path leads from the foreground to the background, leading to a golden light in the distance, foreshadowing a long and winding road to self-realization and enlightenment.
Main topics:
- Temperance involves the concepts of moderation and balance. It is about harmony, patience, serenity, and the merging of opposites. This is a sign that some areas of life need balance, and it may be time to adjust your behavior and find middle ground in any extreme situations you encounter.
Reading meaning:
- In tarot readings, pulling the Temperance card can mean a few things. When upright, it recommends patience, balance, and moderation as you approach challenges. It encourages harmonious relationships, compromise and cooperation. It can also mean the need for self-control and adaptation, healing, renewal, and the need to integrate opposing elements in life. Conversely, moderation can mean imbalance, excess, a lack of long-term vision, or healing that needs to happen but is being ignored. It may represent conflict, confusion, or an unwillingness to seek balance.
Numerology:
- The Temperance card ranks 14th in the Major Arcana. Number 14 is a number of balance and change. It is about the dynamic interplay between stability (represented by the number 4) and constant change and adventure (represented by the number 1). When you add 1 and 4, you get 5, which in numerology is the number of freedom, change, and unpredictability, suggesting that achieving balance may require flexibility and a willingness to adapt.
Astrology:
- Temperance is associated with Sagittarius. Sagittarius is known for its thirst for knowledge, philosophical insight, and pursuit of spiritual growth and exploration, traits that are closely related to the meaning of the Temperance card.
prototype:
- The archetype of Temperance is the healer or alchemist. This archetype has a deep understanding of balance, transformation, and the subtle blend of opposites. Like a therapist, Temperance represents nurturing, harmonious relationships, and the ability to soothe and bring peace. As an alchemist, it signifies a process of change, where old elements become something new and healing, representing the transformation of the self into a higher state of being.
Symbolic Tapestry of the Temperance Tarot Card
Ranked 14 in the Major Arcana, the Temperance card is often glossed over for its plain simplicity. Dig a little deeper, however, and you’ll find its symbolism is as profound as the ocean. When the Rider-Waite deck comes into focus, you’ll see an angel delicately balancing two cups, symbolizing the harmony of opposites – the seductive tango between matter and spirit. One foot on land and one foot in water – aren’t we all constantly crossing different worlds?
Meanwhile, in the Thoth deck, Temperance morphs into Art, a card decorated with alchemical symbols. In Marseille tradition, it embodies the alchemical process, where different elements come together to create something new.
Temperance is a mirror that reflects different life contexts
What happens when the Temperance card interrupts your tarot reading? It is akin to a spiritual wake-up call, nudging you toward balance and moderation. When upright, it whispers stories of healing, balance, and self-control. This is what the universe is saying: “Take it easy, champ.”
However, on the flip side, the opposite meaning of this card indicates an imbalance or excess in your life. It’s like a cosmic red flag, warning you to slow down and regain control before you collapse.
Let’s say you’re at a crossroads in your career and the tarot card “Temperance” comes calling. This could be a sign that you’re finding balance in your work-life dynamics or adapting to the ebbs and flows of professional life.
In the realm of love, the Temperance card may indicate the need for harmony in relationships, or the healing that comes from resolving old wounds. It’s as if this card is gently nudging you, saying, “Mend the bridges, dear heart.”
Moderation in the Journey of Self-Discovery and Personal Development
Ah, the spiritual and psychological aspects of Prohibition Cards, an uncharted territory as exciting as it is profound! In the grand narrative of life’s journey, the Temperance card symbolizes a stage of integration and synthesis. It’s like stepping into an oasis of tranquility after experiencing the death and rebirth symbolized by the previous Death card.
This stage is characterized by self-discovery and personal growth, reminding us that the path to self-improvement often involves a delicate balancing act. It’s as if the Temperance Card is gently guiding us, whispering, “In balance you find your true self.”
The Evolution and Historical Background of the Temperance Tarot Cards
Our look back at the history of tarot shows that the symbolism and interpretation of the Temperance cards have evolved subtly over the centuries. Originally, it was associated with the practice of temperance, one of the fundamental virtues in various philosophical and religious traditions.
The image and symbolism of this card changed in different decks, reflecting changes in social and cultural contexts. However, the core themes of balance and moderation – at the heart of the Temperance Tarot – remain unchanged, like anchors in a swirling sea of change.
Temperance Tarot FAQs
The Temperance Card is like a compass that guides you towards personal growth. It emphasizes balance and moderation, suggesting that the path to self-improvement often involves integrating different aspects of the self and finding a harmonious balance.
In numerology, the number 14 combines the energies of 1 and 4, symbolizing leadership, independence and organization. When reduced, its result is 5, which means variety and adventure. Taken together, these qualities relate to the themes of the Temperance Card, namely balance in change, self-management and the pursuit of personal harmony.
If moderation is reversed in a love reading, it may indicate an imbalance or disharmony in the relationship. It acts like a wake-up call from the sky, alerting you to potential problems that need to be addressed. It may also indicate a need for healing or reconciliation.
While the core themes of balance and temperance remain the same, the symbolism of the Temperance card has changed in different tarot traditions. In the Rider-Waite-Smith card, an angel balances two cups, symbolizing the union of opposites. In the Thoth deck, the card is renamed “Art” and features the alchemical symbol of transformation. In Maasai tradition, it represents the alchemical process of combining elements to form something new.
Spiritually, the Temperance card symbolizes the stages of integration and synthesis. It points to a period of healing and personal growth, promoting self-discovery and the harmonious integration of our physical and spiritual lives. It’s a gentle signpost that in balance we find our true selves.
The Meaning of Each Element of the Temperance Tarot Card
Each element of Rider-Waite-Smith’s Temperance Cards embodies the concepts of balance, moderation, patience, purpose, and meaning.
Angel: The central figure of the card is an androgynous angel, symbolizing balance and the unity of opposites. It represents higher consciousness, spiritual understanding, or higher self. Angels are also interpreted as guides of temperance and patience.
Wing crest: The angel wears a crown made of a simple circle with a triangle inside, symbolizing enlightenment and divine connection. Wings symbolize transcendence and communication between the earthly and spiritual realms.
One foot in water and one foot on land: This element shows the balance between the physical (earth) and emotional/spiritual (water) worlds. It shows an ability to stay grounded while also navigating one’s inner emotional life.
Two cups: The angel pours liquid between two cups, demonstrating flow and balance between different aspects of life, often seen as balancing the subconscious and conscious or balancing give and take. It can also represent alchemical transmutation.
Iridescent dress: The angel wears a white robe over a rainbow-colored robe, symbolizing purity and spiritual transformation.
red wings: The angel’s red wings symbolize desire and action, balanced with the angel’s calmness and tranquility.
Trail: A winding path leading to the horizon with a crown or halo of light symbolizes the spiritual path ahead, a journey of personal and spiritual development. It leads to seemingly distant mountains, showing that the path to balance and moderation is long but achievable.
sunrise: The golden sunrise in the background symbolizes hope, renewal and the dawn of a new day or phase of life.
The triangle on the angel’s chest: The triangle is the alchemical symbol of fire, symbolizing transformation. The squares below it represent the physical world, material problems. Together they depict the rule of angels over the spiritual and physical worlds.
Flower halo: The angel has a round, stylized wreath (halo) around his head, representing enlightenment or the enlightened state of consciousness.
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