Temperance Tarot Card Symbolism & Meaning
Photo of Temperance Tarot Card and Kind of Wands Tarot Card from the Rider Waite Tarot on white table
Updated 2022.06.18 and just as an FYI, this post contains affiliate links.
Temperance symbolizes dignity, harmony, divine balance, and patience.
Usually depicted as an Angel, with lots of water around, Temperance can symbolize things that are moving in flow with Divine Timing.
It's one of my favorite cards in the Tarot Deck because it happens to symbolize a very peaceful, moderate situation usually.
When looking at the Temperance card in a reading, it often means new and intuitive patience, order, and harmony. Given all the light and water in the card, it usually means intuitive patience is required.
With the two cups transferring water between them on the traditional Temperance card, something is happening. Still, patience is currently called for in weighing the situation. It can also symbolize an intuitive person who is restoring the balance of energy in the Universe.
This is also a number fourteen card.
When you add the digits together, they boil down to the number five, and five is the astrological house of creativity, hobbies, and joy. So usually to me, this card can symbolize a time for creativity, peace, and comfort to flow.
Photo of three Temperance Tarot Cards in a line, Left from Rider-Waite Deck, Middle from The Herbal Tarot and right from The Philly Tarot on white table top
In The Philly Tarot Deck, Temperance is pictured as Joel Emiid with Wings with his arms open holding hoagies. Knowing that imagery often provides an alternate interpretation, Temperance also symbolizes a time for a break and maybe to eat and accept the nourishment of life.
In The Philly Tarot Deck, all the Cups suit are replaced with Hoagie Sandwiches. I like this interpretation because when someone fills up your cup in real life, they are often feeding you.
So seeing the cups as food is a more direct interpretation of what cups symbolize - nourishment.
In The Philly Tarot Deck, the Temperance card is a masculine figure, a lovely display of the Divine Feminine in a male form.
Frequently, those exhibiting a balanced masculine are some of the most patient people on the planet, so having a masculine figure representing Temperance makes sense.
Traditionally, in art, having a foot on the ground and another in water, symbolizes a connection to The Spirit World. The slow harmony depicted here can also signify an intuitively guided break to contemplate balance, patience, and moderate movement.
When I see Temperance, it usually depicts a fair, balanced, and just person who makes harmonious choices.
Behind the Temperance figure on most interpretations of this card are yellow Irises, symbolizing optimism, and again a connection to the Divine, and a bright sun over mountains. Wherever these cards take place, it is a beautiful day.
When you see Temperance upright, it can symbolize
Weighing things intuitively before making a move
Nurturing an idea before a choice
Using gentle measure when going about making a decision
What it means when you see the Temperance card in reverse
When you see a Temperance card in reverse, this is usually a slow down card. It can symbolize someone who is influencing the situation who is perhaps not using moderation and balance.
Turning the Temperance card reverse, you see the star around the head, right at the top. It can also symbolize a situation that requires some creative thinking.
If the reading deals with another person, it can also be an alert that you're dealing with someone who needs more Temperance, or moderation, gentleness, and harmonious interactions. By giving more Temperance, a situation can evolve forward.
What does the Temperance card mean in love and relationships
Photo of Temperance Tarot Card from the Herbal Tarot Deck with eight of wands and cover card in background on white table top
Echinacea was the plant I studied in graduate school. It symbolizes that a level of love and permanence is withstanding regardless of whatever it is put through. It does well in wet situations, which can express emotions. It rises above the Temperance character's head on the card.
In relationships, this card tends to symbolize perseverance and that a physical situation may test the relationship. However, the relationship will likely be fortified by it.
The author of the Herbal Tarot Deck, writes that this card and Echinacea means
Achieving strength through purity
Beauty emanates from one who is pure in heart
Protecting oneself from heated and angry situations
Divinatory-wise, Tierra writes, this card means strengthening oneself against harmful influences, fortification, and testing oneself. It can be a confirmation that strength is currently being gained through challenges.
Does Temperance stand for yes or no?
When you see Temperance in a yes or no reading, it will often stand for a yes, but go slowly and be balanced in the way you go.
When you see Temperance reversed, it means pause before deciding, think things through. Perhaps give yourself a couple of days. Not a no - more like a wait and consider.
So to recap, the Temperance card
Temperance Tarot Card Symbolism & Meaning, text overlay photo of Temperance Tarot Card and Kind of Wands Tarot Card on white table.
Can symbolize a person who is keeping the divine order, harmony, or balance
Typically is a careful yes, but move slowly
Often represents someone or something is acting as a patient savior, balancing all situations
Given all this, the Temperance card is almost always a positive sign.
Seeing Temperance in a reading can imply patience will further assist the situation. Taking a break to test the water or to eat nourishing food, can also help keep that perfect balance.
The Temperance card symbolizes patience, order, divine balance, and watery, or spiritual harmony.
When you see it, it tends to bless or give energy to the other cards around it, softening more negative cards, and heightening more positive ones.
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