Temperance Tarot Card Meaning & Symbolism
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Welcome, everyone! In this post I will be taking you through the meaning of the beautiful Temperance card. Temperance is the 14th tarot card and in the Major Arcana.
Temperance Tarot Card Meaning Keywords
Need for balance and harmony
Merging
Blending
Integration of opposites
Creating change
Creative spiritual power
Expanded horizons
Merging sacred spiritual waters with the mundane
Healing
Discoveries
New liberated life
There is a lot of healing power with Temperance card.
The nudge from this card is to restore balance to your life for healing, growth and living your best potential!
Element
Fire (Sagittarius) meets water.
The water is very evident on this card, often illustrated as a woman standing in water, but also the blending of liquid.
The element fire is associated with creativity, passion and energy. The element water is associated with emotions, intuition and the heart.
Card Number
In a typical tarot deck, temperance is card number 14.
Temperance Card Astrological Meaning
As my primary passion is astrology, I love drawing a connection between the cards and astrology.
Temperance is the Major Arcana (trump) card associated with the zodiac sign, Sagittarius. Sagittarius is the zodiac sign associated with higher learning, expansion, adventure and discovery. The blending in the Temperance card is a process of discovery, very Sagittarius.
Temperance, like Sagittarius is very much about the journey. The journey of life, of exploring what is possible.
If we consider the symbol for Sagittarius, the centaur archer, we see a blending of human and mythical creature. These are two opposing creatures blended together, very Temperance energy.
Archetypal Sagittarius is very much attuned to a higher frequency and wisdom, but with a fiery lust for experience and adventure. This is the blending of opposite forces, much like Temperance.
Esoteric Meaning
Temperance card depicts the blending of two opposing elements fire and water. Temperance card symbolises the merging of the spiritual (water) with life force (fire).
Temperance card is merging the spiritual with our life experience. Taking the sacred spiritual waters and mixing with the everyday mundane realities.
Temperance Card and Sagittarius Season
Temperance is the guiding card for Sagittarius Season which occurs late November to late December every year. During Sagittarius Season (late November to late December), take this card out of your deck for reflection or journaling. You can display this card on your dresser or a personal space to reflect on the card's meaning.
As you look at the card, study the symbolism and uncover new meanings through the colours and illustrations used.
I’ll take you through the Temperance tarot card illustrations in my decks below.
Temperance Card in Various Tarot Decks
I will show you the imagery and symbolism of Temperance card in some of the better known tarot decks and in my frequently used decks so you can see how the illustrations of Temperance have similarities between decks.
Smith Waite
Traditional Temperance tarot card in the Smith Waite tarot deck.
You will see a lot of water in this card including at the feet and blending between the cups.
Shop this tarot deck.
Thoth Tarot
Temperance is called “The Art” card in the Thoth deck.
As you can see, there is a lot happening in this card. The symbolism is very rich and detailed.
There is an amazing handbook all about the Thoth Deck. If you want to deepen your esoteric and symbolism study of the cards, I highly recommending using the handbook as your companion!
Ethereal Visions
Above is Temperance card in the lovely art deco tarot deck that I use most frequently.
The illustrator of this deck has maintained much of traditional imagery that you see in the Smith Waite deck such as the angel wings, the downcast view, yellow flowers and the water flowing between the cups.
Wandering Star
If you are looking for a fun and colourful tarot deck to work with, I love this tarot deck. Another bonus is that the cards all have small inscriptions of the keywords, so it will help to guide you in your readings.
For example, in the above Temperance card from this tarot deck you will see the card meanings of guidance, healing, moderation and balance.
Thank You
Thanks for reading my post on Temperance tarot card.
See below for further tarot posts you might like to explore.
For those interested in expanding your spiritual journey with the moon, you might like to explore my membership all about living with the phases of the moon for alignment.
Rachael x
