Temperance
Temperance is the Major Arcana card 14 of the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, representing balance, moderation, patience.
Blend what seems opposite. Temperance is the art of moderation, patience, and finding the middle path where extremes once ruled.
Imbalance, excess, impatience, mismatched priorities.
Calm, blended partnership. Two people meeting in the middle gracefully.
Steady progress. The slow path is the right one.
✦ Choose the calmer response. Speed is rarely wisdom.
How to interpret Temperance
Symbolism
Temperance pours water between two cups, one foot on land and one in water. The angel blends opposites: body and spirit, feeling and discipline, patience and purpose. Healing happens through proportion rather than extremes.
In a reading
In a reading, Temperance supports moderation, integration, recovery, and sustainable progress. It asks you to mix the ingredients carefully and trust the middle path, especially when urgency is tempting you toward imbalance.
Reversed nuance
Reversed, Temperance can show excess, impatience, mismatched priorities, or a system out of rhythm. The correction is not dramatic; it is a return to measure, timing, and daily regulation.
Frequently asked about Temperance
Common questions readers ask about this card
What does the Temperance tarot card mean?+
Blend what seems opposite. Temperance is the art of moderation, patience, and finding the middle path where extremes once ruled.
What does Temperance mean in love?+
Calm, blended partnership. Two people meeting in the middle gracefully.
What does Temperance mean for career?+
Steady progress. The slow path is the right one.
What does Temperance reversed mean?+
Imbalance, excess, impatience, mismatched priorities.
