Words that describe the Temperance card
Balance
Flow
Harmony
Healing
The Temperance card represents balance, patience, and the art of blending different aspects of life in a harmonious way. It signifies the ability to find equilibrium, practice moderation, and approach challenges with calm and adaptability. This card encourages healing and cooperation, and suggests that with time, things will fall into place when approached with patience and inner harmony.
THE TEMPERANCE - Major Arcana Tarot Card
The Temperance
THE TEMPERANCE - MAJOR ARCANA TAROT CARD MEANINGS
By Madhu Mohan
The General Description of the Temperance Card in Tarot
In the Rider-Waite tarot deck, Temperance is depicted as an angelic figure standing with one foot on land and the other in water, symbolizing balance between the conscious and subconscious realms. The angel wears a white robe with a triangle inside a square on the chest, representing spirit within matter. In their hands are two golden cups, between which flows a steady stream of water, defying gravity as it moves back and forth.
Behind the angel lies a golden path leading toward a radiant sun, suggesting that harmony and patience will ultimately lead to enlightenment. Temperance is a card of moderation, integration, and healing. It invites a sense of peace and purpose through mindful flow, not force.
Upright position meaning of the Temperance Card in Tarot
When Temperance appears upright, it signifies balance, harmony, and the importance of moderation in all areas of life. This card encourages you to blend opposing forces, to find the middle path, and to practice patience as you align with your higher purpose. You are being called to move with grace, not haste, and to trust the unfolding process.
Temperance often appears when you are learning to integrate different aspects of yourself or your life. It may be the merging of ideas, reconciling inner conflict, or finding peace in a challenging relationship. Rather than choosing extremes, you are guided to meet in the center and bring opposites into union.
In relationships, this card suggests emotional balance, mutual respect, and spiritual harmony. In career or personal growth, it represents the slow and steady progress that leads to meaningful results. Rather than forcing outcomes, Temperance asks you to flow intuitively, trusting that the right timing is divine timing.
At its core, Temperance is a reminder that true alchemy begins within. You are your own healer. Your life is the vessel. And peace is found when all elements are gently brought into balance.
Reversed position meaning of the Temperance Card in Tarot
In the reversed position, Temperance suggests imbalance, impatience, or inner discord. You may be feeling pulled in different directions or struggling to find a sense of flow in your life. There might be a tendency to overdo, overreact, or force solutions before they're fully formed.
This card reversed can also signal a lack of moderation, whether it’s emotional volatility, workaholism, unhealthy habits, or a pattern of extremes. It invites you to slow down and reflect on where you may be out of alignment with your center.
In relationships, the reversed Temperance card may point to tension, misunderstanding, or emotional imbalances that need to be gently addressed. In creative or professional life, it could reflect burnout, perfectionism, or difficulty blending different ideas or roles together.
Ultimately, Temperance reversed is a call to return to stillness. You do not need to have everything figured out right now. But you do need to tend to your inner equilibrium. Reconnect with your breath, your rhythm, and your intuition. Healing happens when you honor the space between effort and surrender.
