Temperance XIV

Keywords & phrases

• Virtue of temperance – moderation, patience
• Blending, collaboration
• Alchemy, transformation & healing
• Synergy & synthesis
• Artistry & creativity
• Integration of light & dark
• Healing

First impressions

Peace, stillness and serenity.

What is happening in the card?

A beautiful angel in robes of white stands with wings spread on the edge of a pool of clear, gently flowing water, one foot in the water and the other ‘grounded’ on the earth.

The angel pours or blends water between two golden cups – the liquid flows at a seemingly impossible angle. By the side the pool irises grow and a path leads off to mountains in the distance where a crown of light shimmers on the horizon like the halo that glows around the angel’s head.

How can we relate to this card?

When the Angel of Temperance appears he may invites us to examine how we show up and what energy we bring to situations and relationships. How do we react or respond to life challenges?

Temperance encourages us to be patient and temperate in our responses to events and people. To take a moment to explore the grey areas when things may seem black and white and to find the path of moderation… another way. To promote peace, harmony and unity in a situation rather than division and enmity. 

This card calls on us to be responsive rather than reactive. And to find creative solutions where there are problems.

Message & affirmations

Today, I am a creative spirit and I seek integration and balance within my internal and external worlds. I show up in my relationships with temperance, patience and faith.

My personal experiences of this card

I am always encouraged by Temperance to find creative solutions when faced with a challenge at work. This card reminds me that often in life the real gold occurs with patience, time and careful planning. The blending of elements, all coming together when the conditions are right to create something brilliant or magical.

In my role as a mother, the Angel of Temperance also reminds me to respond to my child with love and patience when we face challenges rather than reacting with haste or anger.

See below my IG post on Temperance and the Princess of Swords – The Urban Tarot, by Robin Scott.

Events, situations & readings

In a relationship spread:
Temperance encourages you to seek harmony and balance in relationships. Consider your part in any conflict that you may be experiencing in a relationship… can you find a middle road, a path to a more peaceful way of relating with each other?

In a work, business or finance spread:
In a work or business related spread Temperance calls on you to bring your creativity and artistry to the job. This would include your skills in negotiation, communication and organisation, people or resource management, and your ability to pull all the elements of a project together and create something great.

In a health and wellbeing spread:
Temperance is a card of healing. When this Angel appears it may be to encourage you to examine  and your lifestyle and to consider moderating any behaviours that are extreme or unhealthy.

People & interaction with other cards

When Temperance appears with 5s the focus is on how you can restore balance and harmony in challenging times.

Alongside The Star, the Angel of Temperance brings a message of healing and self-care.

With cards that highlight over-indulgence, excess and addiction, such as The Devil, 7 of Cups and 9 of Cups, Temperance urges us to moderate our behaviour in order to restore or promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual balance.

Questions, prompts & insights

Where in your life do you need to create balance and harmony?

Do some of your behaviours need moderating in order to restore good health and healing?

Where can you bring your artistry and creativity to a project or situation?

In your relationships, are you reacting or responding? How can you moderate your behaviour? 

Featured decks & credits:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot and featuring images from The Urban Tarot by Robin Scott.

The animated image of Temperance is by Still Small Voice Tarot as part of an ongoing AI art Tarot project.