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Temperance Tarot Card Meaning
Temperance: The Alchemical Union
Upright keywords
Balance, moderation, patience, purpose
Reversed keywords
Imbalance, excess, impatience, lack of harmony
Symbolism
An angel with one foot on land and one in water pours liquid between two cups, symbolizing the blending of opposites. The path in the background leads to a rising sun, representing the journey toward a higher purpose. The angel’s balanced stance shows the integration of the conscious and subconscious.
Temperance upright meaning
Card number 14 is the card of balance, moderation, and synthesis. It represents the alchemical process of blending different elements of your life—spiritual and material, logical and emotional—to create a harmonious whole. Temperance calls for patience, a middle-path approach, and finding your inner purpose. It is about finding synergy and calm amidst life’s complexities.
Find harmony and balance in your life. Temperance encourages patience, moderation, and blending different aspects of your life to create a harmonious whole. Seek a middle path.
Temperance reversed meaning
When reversed, Temperance points to imbalance, excess, and a lack of long-term vision. You may be acting in extremes, leading to conflict and disharmony. This card warns that impatience and a lack of moderation are disrupting your peace and preventing you from finding your purpose.
Imbalance, excess, or impatience. You are out of alignment and may be acting in extremes, leading to conflict and stress.
Temperance in a reading
How the card reads in each position of a past, present and future spread.
Past position
Upright: You found balance and harmony in a past situation, and that experience of moderation has brought a sense of peace to your present life.
Reversed: A past period of excess or imbalance is the cause of your current stress and lack of harmony. You have been out of alignment for some time.
Present position
Upright: You need to practice patience and moderation right now. Seek balance in all things and blend opposing forces in your life to find a harmonious middle ground.
Reversed: You are currently acting in extremes and have lost your sense of balance. This lack of moderation is creating conflict and instability in your life.
Future position
Upright: The future will require patience and a balanced approach. You will find success and peace by integrating different aspects of your life and avoiding extremes.
Reversed: Be wary of falling into extremes or acting with impatience in the future. A period of imbalance is possible if you do not actively seek a middle path.