Temperance
Temperance is card fourteen of the Major Arcana, and it follows Death for a reason: after an ending comes the patient work of rebuilding. It's the card of balance, moderation and blending different elements into something harmonious.
What's on the card
An angel with red wings stands with one foot on land and one in a pool of water, showing a balance between the practical and the emotional. The angel pours water between two cups, a flow that seems to defy gravity — mixing and blending with care. On the angel's robe is a triangle inside a square. A path leads from the pool to distant mountains, where a golden crown shines in the sunlight: the goal reached through patience. Irises, flowers linked with the rainbow and messages, grow at the water's edge.
Temperance Upright
Upright, Temperance calls for balance and patience. Rather than going to extremes, find the middle way: combine different ideas, needs or people, and adjust gradually until things fit.
The card suggests healing and steady progress. It's a reminder that good things often take time, and that calm, consistent effort beats rushing.
Temperance Reversed
Reversed, Temperance can point to imbalance and excess — overdoing it with work, food, spending or emotion, or swinging between extremes. It may also show impatience with a process that needs more time.
Sometimes it suggests clashing priorities or people who won't compromise. The reversal is a prompt to step back and restore a sense of proportion.
Keywords: balance, moderation, patience, harmony
Temperance in Love & Relationships
In love, Temperance points to harmony, compromise and a relationship that feels balanced and supportive. It can also suggest healing after a difficult time. Reversed, it may reflect conflict, imbalance, or one person trying to change the other.
Temperance in Career & Work
At work, Temperance favours teamwork, patience and finding the right balance between work and life. Slow, steady progress will pay off. Reversed, watch for burnout, overcommitment or clashing with colleagues.
Temperance and Money
Financially, Temperance is the card of moderation: sensible budgeting, avoiding extremes, and balancing spending with saving. Reversed, it may warn of overspending or risky swings.
Advice
Find the middle path and give it time.
Temperance — Yes or No?
Temperance generally means yes, but slowly — with patience and balance. Reversed, the answer may be "not until things are more balanced".
Zodiac Sign
In the traditional Golden Dawn system of correspondences, Temperance is paired with Sagittarius — worth a look if you want to see how this card's themes show up on the horoscope side of the deck.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Temperance mean in love?
Harmony, compromise, patience and a well-balanced partnership, often after a period of healing.
Is Temperance a yes or no card?
Usually a gentle yes, as long as you're patient and don't go to extremes.
What zodiac sign is Temperance?
Temperance is linked with Sagittarius in the Golden Dawn system.
| Group | Cards | Traditional Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Major Arcana | 22 | Life’s big turning points and archetypal themes |
| Wands | 14 | Traditionally linked to fire — ambition, energy, creativity |
| Cups | 14 | Traditionally linked to water — emotion, relationships, intuition |
| Swords | 14 | Traditionally linked to air — thought, conflict, communication |
| Pentacles | 14 | Traditionally linked to earth — money, work, the material world |