Temperance
XIVMajor Arcana
- Element
- Fire
- Astrology
- Sagittarius
- Numerology
- Fourteen: alchemy, adjustment and equilibrium between forces
- Yes or no
- Yes
Upright
- balance
- moderation
- patience
- harmony
- blending
Reversed
- excess
- imbalance
- impatience
- discord
- self-indulgence
The art of the right mixture. Temperance blends opposites into something steadier than either one alone.
On the card
A winged angel stands with one foot in a pool and the other on land, pouring water between two golden cups in a stream that seems to defy gravity. A triangle inside a square marks the angel's chest, spirit contained within matter, and a solar disc glows on the brow. A path winds from the pool toward distant mountains where a crown shines at the summit, and irises bloom at the water's edge.
Upright
General
Find the middle path and stay on it. Temperance rewards patience, moderation and the steady blending of different elements, whether those are people, priorities or parts of yourself. Healing tends to follow this card, along with the peace that comes from not overreaching.
Love & relationships
A calm, balanced relationship in which differences complement rather than clash. Patience with a partner's pace pays off, and a rough patch smooths out through compromise.
Career & money
Steady progress, good teamwork, and success through cooperation rather than competition. Keep finances balanced between saving and spending and avoid extremes.
Reversed
General
Something is out of proportion. Reversed, Temperance shows excess in one area and neglect in another, impatience that ruins a slow process, or a clash of elements that refuse to blend. It can also indicate over-indulgence or a lack of long-term vision.
Love & relationships
Volatility, mismatched needs, or one person giving far more than the other. Look for habits that are unbalancing the relationship.
Career & money
Overwork followed by burnout, a team that cannot align, or reckless spending. Restore proportion before pushing on.
Advice
Pour slowly and mix carefully. The right amount is almost always less than you think.