Temperance in brief
In the Rider-Waite tradition, Temperance stands for balance, moderation and patience, the art of blending different elements into harmony. Modern readers often take it as a call to take the middle path and stay calm, while the reversed card points to imbalance, excess or a life that has drifted out of alignment.
Waite wrote that the card is called Temperance because, when its rule holds in consciousness, “it tempers, combines and harmonises the psychic and material natures.” Biddy Tarot describes an alchemy within the card, a mixing of parts into something more valuable than each alone.
The card’s picture
Waite described “a winged angel, with the sign of the sun upon his forehead” and, on his breast, the square and triangle of the septenary. Waite wrote that he spoke of the angel in the masculine sense, “but the figure is neither male nor female.” The angel pours what Waite called the essences of life from one chalice to another, with one foot upon the earth and one upon the waters.
A direct path climbs to heights on the edge of the horizon, and above it there is a great light through which a crown is seen faintly. Waite wrote that in his design “all the conventional emblems are renounced,” and he read in the scene “some part of the Secret of Eternal Life” as far as it is possible in a human life. In his notes on older packs, Waite wrote that the figure was usually a winged woman pouring liquid from one pitcher to another.
Modern guides read the details closely. Biddy Tarot reads the foot on the rocks as the need to stay grounded and the foot in the water as the need to be in flow. Biddy Tarot reads the winding path as the road through life and the glowing crown as taking the higher path and staying true to one’s purpose. Labyrinthos reads the water flowing between the two cups as union and infinity, and the triangle inside a square on the robe as the earth joined with the holy trinity.
Upright meaning
Waite’s divinatory list for the upright card is economy, moderation, frugality, management and accommodation.
Labyrinthos reads upright Temperance as moderation and balance coupled with patience, and as a sign that extremes are best avoided. Labyrinthos also reads it as calm under stress, a clear vision of what one wants to achieve, and the ability to work in harmony with others. Labyrinthos adds that the card can mark a time to re-examine priorities and balance the outer and inner self.
Biddy Tarot reads Temperance as a card for bringing balance, patience and moderation into life, letting energy flow without force or resistance. Biddy Tarot also reads it as a call to take the middle path, act as a peacekeeper and bring diverse people together. Biddy Tarot adds that the card shows a clear long-term vision pursued without rushing, and a time of higher learning.
Reversed meaning
Waite listed the reversed card as things connected with churches, religions, sects and the priesthood, and also disunion, unfortunate combinations and competing interests.
Labyrinthos reads reversed Temperance as something out of balance that may be causing stress, and sometimes as a warning that a certain path leads to excess. Labyrinthos also reads it as a lack of long-term vision, leaving a person searching for what to do.
Biddy Tarot reads the reversed card, after a period of excess, as an invitation to restore balance and moderation. Biddy Tarot also reads it as a sense that something in life is “off,” and as a time of self-evaluation in which daily life is brought back in line with one’s priorities.
Temperance in love
In love, Labyrinthos reads upright Temperance as patience, moderation, understanding and the middle path. Labyrinthos also reads the card as a prompt to ask where one’s attitudes may be too pushy or too reserved, and to work with a partner toward compromise and harmony.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads the card as all-or-nothing thinking in love and an intensity that may surprise others. Labyrinthos also reads it as a reminder that no partner is perfect and that desires are best kept reasonable.
Temperance in career
For work, Labyrinthos reads upright Temperance as patience, moderation and daily effort as tools toward career goals, with progress that may come slowly and quietly. Labyrinthos also reads it as calm in emotionally charged situations at work, and as a good balance between career and the rest of life.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads the card as a lack of balance at work, such as going all in at the expense of everything else. Labyrinthos also reads it as rushing through projects or making hasty choices.
Temperance and money
Labyrinthos reads upright Temperance in money questions as a theme of moderation and balance, steady habits with the occasional affordable treat.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads the card as swinging between extremes, either always reaching for the next luxury or never allowing any reward. Labyrinthos frames the reversed card as a prompt to find a comfortable middle ground between present and future well-being.
Temperance as feelings
As feelings, Labyrinthos reads upright Temperance as balance and harmony: someone who senses a natural flow between two people and values the connection without rushing. Labyrinthos also reads it as one’s own wish for peace and equilibrium.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads imbalance and disharmony, with someone struggling to find a middle ground between their feelings and the rest of life. Labyrinthos also reads the reversed card as one’s own uncertainty about what is truly wanted.
Questions to reflect on
- Where in life would a middle path serve better than an extreme?
- What two parts of life are asking to be blended more gently?
- Is a goal being rushed that would grow better with patience?
- What small daily habit would bring things back into balance?