In this chapter of the tarot course we will see the Temperance card and its meanings. The hidden details for its interpretation in the tarot, its correspondence with numerology, the elements and kabbalistics.
What does Temperance mean in the Tarot? What does the card of Temperance mean in love, work, money or health? What is its spiritual meaning and what does it reveal to us? What does the card of Temperance upside down or inverted mean?
Temperance and its explanation in the Tarot
Temperance has the number 14 among the major arcana. Temperance is the card that shows with total forcefulness the control you have over yourself. Temperance will point out very important things to you with its profound message, whether the card appears in its natural or reversed position.
Correspondences of the card
- Kabbalistics associates this card with the planet Jupiter, with the letter Nun and with the number 50.
- Esoterically it is associated with the astrological sign of Sagittarius, the element Earth and the season of autumn.
- In numerology it represents the number 14 ,and the 7 (14 = 4 + 1 = 5) It is transmutation, metamorphosis, changes, but in positive because it is the sum of 7 + 7.
Graphic description of the card
The Temperance card represents an angel with wings. The angel is actually a hermaphrodite (the son of Hermes and Aphrodite), showing a balance between the sexes.
He has one foot on dry land, representing the material world, and one foot in the water, representing the subconscious, while also representing the need to “test the waters” before jumping headlong into unknown circumstances.
Here, Temperance tempers the capricious flight of the Fool who jumps without a second thought.
The triangle on the chest of the tunic represents the woman, who is protected by natural law.
In the angel’s hands he holds two cups that he uses to mix the water. These cups represent the sub- and super-conscious minds. One of the vessels can be thought of as a container of hot water and the other of cold water.
The water flowing between them actually goes from the lower cup to the upper cup, signifying moving from a lower plane to a higher plane, thus representing that the temperate individual mixes opposites and finds a balance in life, avoiding extremes.
What does Temperance mean in the Tarot?
Temperance in right hand position, General meaning: This major arcanum means to be in balance, it is moderation, patience, purpose, tenacity for the goal to be achieved.
It has absolutely to do with balance and self-control, when you master yourself. It is representative of friendship, being supportive, moderation in all things, and recomposing and regenerating.
Now you have achieved a certain mastery of your instincts, emotions and attitudes and you take the middle path, avoiding going to extremes.
This is, perhaps, because you have understood the words of Aristotle: “In Medio Virtus”, (in the middle, there is virtue) is a habit of prudently choosing and doing what is best, it is a free conquest, always guided by reason.
You have learned (or are in the process of learning) that although the procession goes inside, outside you are able to remain calm. You do not get anxious or stressed even if the situation is agitated, but you have a long-term vision, where you are focused and through balance, you try to reach the port that you have proposed, which you will surely succeed in doing.
Temperance also reflects a great adaptation to others and the environment, you are able to harmonize, to accept, to respect everyone.
Temperance is a great card for work and for the social, since there is a permanent synergy flowing in a natural way.
It presents a certain resemblance to “The Hermit” in the aspect that now you may be evaluating a certain retreat inward, to look for a better purpose and meaning in your life, reviewing priorities and trying to balance your inner person with the outer person.
In this process, you may find a clash between what was in you and what is now, so you may spend some time seeking to isolate yourself, not as a way to get away from others, but to rediscover a new meaning in everything.
There will be no anguish, no sadness in this process, only a great calm when you look inward, a sort of fountain where you will recharge your energies and a permanent center of balance.
If this card appears as a final result, it does not indicate too much, only that there will be moderation and balance. It is a positive result in a certain way, but mainly indicates a moment in which we will rethink deeply the meaning of our existence, seeking to make it better.
If this arcane of Temperance appears describing a person, it will tell us that this person is extremely balanced, likes to temporize, to reconcile moods and wills. She avoids conflicts and has a great capacity for adaptation, since she is open-minded and does not dislike innovation.
She is the kind of person to whom one should turn when seeking advice or help. Describing a situation, Temperance will indicate that this is a time of substantial changes, both internal and external.
Now is the time for analysis, to look at all the variables, to get the right advice. It is a card of friendship and companionship, so the help of other people can be vital. You will count on them, you will rely on your friends, at least the most intimate and close ones. Good relationships are a common denominator of the situation.
What does the Temperance card mean in love?
In love, Temperance is a very positive card. There is the need to be together, life as a couple has pleasant moments of understanding and companionship, you lean on him as much as the other leans on you, there is a communion.
You have a new appreciation for yourself that your partner receives well, it helps him/her and does him/her good. It is a moment of being with each other, side by side, to face what the days bring.
It is very important that you accept yourself, that you forgive your faults, only by having peace within you, you can achieve the peaceful, constructive, loving and kind environment that you desire and need.
What does the Temperance Card mean at work?
Regarding work, this card is excellent. All partnerships are very well aspected and favored, work will be stable, relationships are pleasant, there is collaboration.
New opportunities may appear, signing of agreements or contracts, there is growth and expansion, based mostly on personal relationships, which are at a very high point. Your actions will not be overlooked, the moderation and balance you put into everything will be appreciated and valued.
What does the Temperance card mean for money and finances?
It is a good luck card, so it can come knocking at your door. While Temperance is not closely linked to money, nor does it herald tremendous profits, it will indicate that things are in balance.
Self-control makes your spending orderly, you spend and save with an equal sense of balance. It is a good time for you to claim what you deserve, such as a salary increase, for example.
Put your abilities and dedication on display so that you are properly valued and get what you want. Finances will go well, without stridency but mainly without chaos.
What does the Temperance card mean for health?
In terms of health, Temperance indicates that now you will find a new energy, a vital flow that renews you. You have a time of tranquility and good health, mainly because you are emotionally balanced.
If the body translates our feelings into illness, it is now time to be healthy, because you have a healthy interior, which is looking for the middle way at all times.
Moderation is the key now, so you will surely seek better care of yourself through exercise, proper nutrition or moderating your vices, such as smoking half the cigarettes you normally smoke.
What does Temperance mean spiritually?
This is an important time to meditate and listen to your inner voice for guidance, and if it needs help, ask for it.
You will have some isolation and withdrawal, but not trying to separate yourself from the world, but as a way to continue to find yourself, now that you have rediscovered yourself and a whole new and promising path has begun in you.
Continue to look to that inner source for the answers you need.
What does the Temperance card upside down or reversed mean?
Temperance in reverse position, General meaning: Represents an imbalance, the lacking, the lack of long term vision. Something is very present in your life creating conflict and imbalance, and you have not found the necessary restraint to resolve it.
Your goals now seem to dissipate, you are not focused forward but are kind of stuck in the now. You have lost hope for building forward.
It is possible that you are acting hastily, guided by impulses or reflections that perhaps, if you analyze them well, are not real. You need to refocus, not to let impatience win you over, to discover what has created this imbalance that has put you out of balance.
On the other hand, there is a moment of tension and confrontation with others. There is no cooperation, but it seems that everyone is on their own.
There are old unresolved conflicts and the way you are trying to resolve them is not the right way, there is too much energy, to the point of being aggressive in some way.
It is imperative that you do your self-criticism and listen to others’ points of view. Relationships, whether romantic, family, work or social, now require your attention and dedication.
What does the reversed Temperance card mean in love?
In love, although it is not the end of the world, Temperance warns us of times that are not good. There are deep arguments and disagreements, perhaps that have been dragging on for a long time.
It is possible that there has been a reversal of roles in the couple and this has created a strong imbalance. Dialogue is vital now. You both know that something is wrong, but perhaps you do not yet understand what the problem is.
Not having raised vital issues at the time may be the reason. With communication, seeking balance, reaching consensus, listening to each other, it is possible to get out of this situation, improved and free of old problems. It will require effort and commitment from both parties.
What does the Temperance card inverted at work mean?
With respect to the labor plane, it is a time of problems. It is very possible that there is a woman who is a negative influence at this time, a boss, co-worker, partner, advisor, employee, etc., can according to this card be the axis and reason for the tension at work.
As you are out of balance, impatient, it is better to postpone the signing of any kind of contracts, make new partnerships, wait a little before seeking an expansion. You need fundamentally good advice in what you do, someone who sees from an impartial and balanced place.
Do not make hasty decisions. This is not the time to isolate yourself at work, try to regroup with others, work as a team.
What does the Temperance card inverted mean in money and finances?
Despite its inversion, Temperance is not a bad card for money. There are possibilities for salary increases or increased earnings.
Sometimes, acting on impulse is good and that quick reflexes make us take “crazy decisions” that are usually good moves, instinctive, that determine us a profit that if we had meditated long, we would not have reached.
However, you must take care of your money, neither in this aspect act impatiently or make excessive expenses, often superfluous.
Channel all that energy, that kind of anger, towards your most visceral side: if you want that raise, ask for it, if you decide this or that operation, do it, against all odds and against all logic.
What does the reversed Temperance card mean in health?
In terms of health, your digestive system may present alterations and problems. We know that it is one of the main systems that is altered by our nerves and our stress, so gastritis, ulcers, dyspepsia and other ailments may occur now.
Try to eat healthy, slowly, enjoying, in moments when you feel relaxed, not in the middle of an argument. Balance is again the word here, therefore, get enough sleep, exercise with measure, try to achieve calm and peace by meditating or praying.
It is essential now to calm down so that it does not affect your health.
What does the Temperance card reversed mean spiritually?
With Temperance reversed, the indication is that you can benefit greatly by seeking out people who are searching for or treading a path toward spiritual growth.
This does not necessarily mean that you have to attend church regularly, but this is one way to respond to this need. Whether in person, through reading spiritually oriented books, or in other ways, it is important that you are constantly renewing your spiritual world.
