XIVTemperance

Temperance Meaning

Major Arcana · No. 14

Upright · moderation, harmony, healing
Reversed · imbalance, excess, impatience

Symbolism in the Temperance card

Temperance shows a winged angel with one foot in the water and one on land, pouring water between two cups. The water flowing between the cups represents the alchemical process of blending different elements into harmony. Her feet on water and earth symbolize balance between emotion and reality, spirit and matter. The triangle within a square on her chest shows spirit joined with matter, and the path winding between distant mountains toward a rising light shows the goal reached through patience.

Temperance Upright Meaning

“Healing through balance and harmony”

moderationharmonyhealing

Balance, harmony and patient, unhurried care.

Upright in depth

Upright, Temperance speaks of finding moderation and harmony without swinging to extremes. Your gift for reconciling different opinions and situations shines, and you may find yourself mediating a conflict. The slow, unhurried process of blending things together ends up creating the best results. In everyday life, it’s a good time to fine-tune your balance, from eating and sleep to the ratio of work and rest.

Love
You grow closer slowly, with care for each other.
Work & study
Cooperation and coordination keep work flowing smoothly.
Money
Your income and spending are well balanced.

Advice · Avoid extremes and keep a steady, balanced pace.

✓ Try · keep a steady, moderate pace
✕ Avoid · making extreme choices

A question to ask yourself
What is there too much of, and too little of, in your life?

Temperance Reversed Meaning

“Reining in excess”

imbalanceexcessimpatience

Balance is broken, or things swing to extremes.

Reversed in depth

Reversed, Temperance shows balance lost and things tipping too far one way. You may overdo it, overwork, overeat or overspend, or your moods may swing more widely. Impatience to skip steps could end up spoiling the whole thing. Slow down for a moment and notice what’s overflowing and what’s lacking, and harmony will return.

Love
A big gap in emotional warmth could pull you out of sync.
Work & study
Overwork and impatience have thrown off your balance.
Money
Be careful of both overspending and extreme saving.

Advice · If you’re pushing too hard somewhere, ease off.

✓ Try · adjust the balance between rest and work
✕ Avoid · trying to fix everything at once

A question to ask yourself
What are you doing too much of?

Reading by position

In the past position

Your past was a time of healing through balance and harmony. Read it as the background that shaped your current situation.

In the present position

Right now is a time of healing through balance and harmony. Read it as the strongest force at work right now.

In the future position

Ahead lies a time of healing through balance and harmony. Read it as where things are heading if they continue as they are. If reversed, it can signal that this flow may be blocked or delayed.

Is Temperance a yes or a no?

Upright leans toward yes — Healing through balance and harmony

Reversed leans toward no — Reining in excess

As a Major Arcana card, the answer carries extra weight and often ties to a bigger life decision.

When Temperance appears with

Temperance + The Star

Temperance with The Star brings gradual healing of body and mind and a revival of hope. It’s a most welcome pairing during recovery or when you need rest.

Temperance + Two of Cups

Temperance meeting the Two of Cups describes a relationship where both people care for each other and adjust in harmony. It’s a good sign for reconciliation and balanced partnership.

Element · astrology · number

Element
Fire
Astrology
Sagittarius
Number
14

Temperance FAQ

Is Temperance a good card for love?

You grow closer slowly, with care for each other. A big gap in emotional warmth could pull you out of sync.

What does Temperance reversed mean?

Balance is broken, or things swing to extremes. Reversed, Temperance shows balance lost and things tipping too far one way. You may overdo it, overwork, overeat or overspend, or your moods may swing more widely. Impatience to skip steps could end up spoiling the whole thing. Slow down for a moment and notice what’s overflowing and what’s lacking, and harmony will return.

Is Temperance a yes or no card?

Upright leans toward yes, and reversed leans toward no. As a Major Arcana card, the answer carries extra weight and often ties to a bigger life decision.

What are the key words for Temperance?

moderation, harmony, healing / imbalance, excess, impatience

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