Temperance is the refilling of what’s empty.
You are asked to balance energies on all levels, noticing where your life source is depleted. When Temperance arrives, it’s time to ask this basic question: Am I taking care of myself? What gets in the way of this and why?
Life is lived well when one is well. It’s time to make choices that prioritize your health and body.
The imbalance you’re experiencing might come from many sources. You might be overworked, find your relationships draining, or struggle to care for yourself.
Temperance can also indicate physical and mental health struggles that need immediate attention.
Bodies are amazingly intuitive. One piece of advice that has always stuck with me is asking your body what choice is right.
When you think of each choice, notice your physical reaction. Do you feel any tension in your neck? Shoulders? What’s happening in your stomach?
Temperance shares that the body is incredibly wise when we listen.
In life, you’re asked to ‘temper” your approach, to use care, balance, and patience as you step back from unhealthy vices, commitments, or people.
To be your best, be human. Fun time with friends, eating well, exercising, and doing things that fill your spirit are good remedies for affliction.
Temperance is a bit of an outdated word. You don’t hear your friends calling you up and saying, “Hey! How is your Temperance going?” Let me explain what’s up with that.
Temperance is one of the four Christian cardinal virtues; tarot was created during the Renaissance when classical and Christian ideals merged in art and culture.
Three of the Four Christian cardinal virtues can be seen in the Major Arcana cards. All four include prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. The tarot has three illustrated in the cards: Justice, Temperance, and Strength (changed from fortitude) appear in the Major Arcana.
In Christianity, the cardinal virtue of Temperance was meant to remind folks to be good (no sinners here!)! You have to temper the soul so it doesn’t do bad things. Or do you?
I think partaking in lustful activities in the right amount can be good medicine for the body. But don’t let a tarot card tell you that!
You know what your spirit and body need better than anyone.
If you are faced with a choice in some area of your life, Temperance asks you to choose what’s healthy and proportionate. Choose the job without overtime, the relationship that respects your needs, and the thing that lets you prioritize what matters to you.
When Temperance is drawn reversed, the unhealthy-warning energies of this card are amped up. You might be facing burnout or need some serious TLC.
In asking about a situation or someone else, Temperance reversed begs a reconsider. Are you willing to empty your tank for this person/job {insert-scenario} here?
On the other hand, Temperance reversed can also suggest a period of rest or ill health coming to a close. You’re ready to move faster or put a difficult chapter behind you.
Temperance is choosing your health above all else.
Sources
Greer, Mary. Archetypal Tarot. San Francisco, CA: Weiser Books, 2011.
Greer, Mary. Tarot Reversals. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2002.
Pollack, Rachel. Tarot Wisdom. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2008.
Snow, Cassandra. Queering the Tarot. Newburyport, MA: Weiser Books, 2019.
Tea, Michelle. Modern Tarot. New York, NY: Harper Collins: 2017.
Wen, Benebell. Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2015.
Video
Tarot Spread
If you are drawn to Temperance and want to dig deeper, get them outta your deck, make them your mascot, and draw some cards from the rest of the deck with this tarot spread I created!
