Temperance

Temperance Tarot Card Key Words#

Before diving deeper into the upright- and reversed Temperance tarot card meaning, and its connection to love, work, and life, first a quick overview of the most important words connected to this Major Arcana card.

Temperance Tarot Card Descriptions#

One of the most beautiful cards of the Tarot, Major Arcana number fourteen, features an angel standing over water. Known as Temperance, this angle is dipping one of her feet into the pool of water while the other is positioned on the shore.

The background surrounding the water is lush and contains what represents life’s ‘highs and lows’ such as treacherous mountains as well as blossoming flowers. The overall essence of this card is one of peace and harmony.

In the angel’s hands are two cups with water flowing in between. Donning a white robe with a triangle in the center, this spiritual being symbolizes unity as well as healing and the ability to find a middle ground regardless of the situation at hand.

Temperance Tarot Meaning#

Avoid all extreme situations when the Upright Temperance tarot card is a focal point in a reading. Although there are times to ‘go for the jugular,’ this is not the angel’s message.

Some situations are complicated and require patience and special care, even when your emotions are telling you to react.

Temperance is actually a skill, and like any other skill, practice makes perfect. Hold back from quick judgment. Resist the temptation to react immediately.

Are there areas of your life in which you need to find balance? Could you benefit from learning to remain calm during moments of distress?

Temperance has arrived to help you find the strength to do so.

Money and Career Meaning#

Temperance can prompt a review of balance and risk, but it should not decide a purchase, career change, or investment. Because Temperance is a synonym for balance, it usually shows up in career, business, and financial readings when things need to be better managed.

Do you have a budget? How well are you doing with managing time and resources? What goals have you set for yourself? If the answers to these questions aren’t clear, this is a place to start reflecting.

If you already know what you are working toward, practice patience. Hard work and dedication are always required, but so is good timing. Sit back and assess everything that is involved in what you are trying to do.

When an opportunity appears, examine its terms and risks before deciding. Just make sure you’ve planned ahead.

Love and Relationships Meaning#

Especially when paired with the Lovers card, Temperance is one of the most promising Major Arcana cards that can fall in a love reading. Temperance can represent harmony or the wish for a peaceful relationship, but it does not predict one.

If you are single or committed, the card can prompt reflection on compatibility and cooperation without predicting a partner or new phase.

The only exception here is when you’re involved in a relationship or marriage where tons of fighting is happening. If this is the case, you’ll need to take a much different approach than what’s happening in the present.

When things aren’t going right, we tend to point fingers at our partner and complain about every fault and flaw. This is useless since we have no ability to change another person.

Instead of continuing with the battle, the Temperance tarot card suggests putting pride to the side to find a middle ground. Fostering cooperation with your spouse, even if you are the person who has to say ‘sorry’ can mean the difference between success and failure.

Health and Spirituality Meaning#

In readings, the Temperance tarot card can symbolize balance and moderation. It cannot assess health in the present or future.

When it comes to alcohol, drugs, unhealthy food, and other things that are harmful to our bodies and minds, Temperance can prompt reflection on moderation. If substance use is a concern, seek qualified support because abrupt withdrawal can be dangerous.

The cards may symbolize healing or renewed energy, but they do not establish a health outcome.

Temperance Reversed Meaning#

When Reversed Temperance falls instead of the traditional positioning, things are getting ready to come tumbling down.

Most likely, you’ve felt off-kilter for a while and have been dealing with discord at work, home, and in your own body. You may even be feeling a lack of purpose, and like you just don’t know what you’re supposed to be doing with your life.

If so, don’t worry too much, as this is the exact opposite of what the angel of Temperance would advise you to do. Instead, take an honest look at things as they are right now.

Are there areas where you are being too risky or overindulgent? You do not have to make a sweeping change. Consider your own best interest and start with small modifications.

Temperance: Yes or No#

Temperance is often read as balanced or cautiously positive in a yes or no reading. That convention does not authorize action; assess the decision and its risks independently.

Temperance can represent a ‘yes’ in a yes-or-no tarot reading, while its themes warn against haste and unmanaged risk. That interpretation does not determine the outcome.

Important Card Combinations#

In a spread, the presence of one card can influence the meaning of other cards. Certain cards match up well and can change each other’s meaning. Below I wrote down the most important Temperance tarot card combinations. Overall Temperance is a highly spiritual card, that advises you to act with wisdom and prudence.

Temperance and the Chariot or the World#

Together, the Chariot and Temperance personify a move or overseas travel. If you've been considering relocating, treat this combination as a prompt to examine the idea rather than a forecast. Start looking into options for moving, what it will take to make it happen, and prepare a timeline.

The same is true if you’ve wanted to take a trip somewhere far away. This isn’t something you’ll want to rush into, but a solid plan can make this a beneficial decision for all involved.

Temperance and Judgement#

These two cards are often confused and for good reason. Temperance embodies balance while Judgement is about what is about doing what is right. Are you faced with a tough decision?

This duo can prompt you to consider how a choice affects you and others. Keeping the greater good in mind does not guarantee that one path is correct.

Temperance and the Star#

When dancing with the Star, the angel of Temperance brings forth life changes. In fact, this is the Temperance’s goal when this combination appears: to help you get your life together. Let’s face it.

We all have areas of our lives that we need improvement. Maybe you need better communication with a certain family member or need to focus a little more on eating right. Perhaps you’ve been spending too much money or haven’t been that productive at work. Now is the time to strengthen these weak points.

Temperance and the Wheel of Fortune#

Prepare to go on a journey, but not one in physical nature. Temperance and the Wheel of Fortune are powerful in nature, especially when connected since the joining can mean a quest for one’s destiny.

Perhaps you feel you have some great reason for living (we all do,) but can’t quite figure out what it is exactly. Now is the time to put your finger on your purpose and start making decisions that will catapult you in that direction.

Temperance Art#

Although I write all the descriptions based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, it doesn’t mean that I use other decks too. Below you can find a small selection of my favorite Temperance tarot cards. If you created a card yourself and want to share this, I would love to hear from you!

Temperance in a Reading#

That’s all for the Temperance meaning! If you have pulled the Temperance tarot card in your spread, I hope you will find harmony and enjoy well-being, even when faced with challenges.

Did the meaning make sense to your situation in life? Our community loves to hear about spot-on readings so please take a minute to let us know in the comments below!