Temperance Tarot Card Meaning: The Card Everyone Needs and Nobody Wants

And, believe me, it's much more difficult than it may sound.

What Temperance Really Is All About

In the picture, you'll see an angel (sometimes winged, usually having one foot on land and one foot in water) pouring water between two cups. This process symbolizes the card: integration, creation of something new by combining two seemingly incompatible things.

Balance and moderation aren't enough; Temperance is about integrating your opposites.

Light and darkness. Action and inaction. Receiving and giving. Spirit and matter.

She's not choosing one side. She's integrating them.

And that is the greatest art of life — not to fall into any extremes, but to maintain a steady pace until you reach your goal or hold on to what is yours. That is why Aleister Crowley named this card "Art" in his Thoth Tarot deck. Because balance is not a state that we are born with. Balance needs to be created, practiced, learned. Just like musicians need to learn how to sustain notes and artists need to learn how to balance color mixes.

There is a quote from Robert De Niro that perfectly describes that approach. In one of his interviews, he explained how to stay balanced when everything goes well: "Just be calm when things are going well. Don't think you're on top of the world. You always gotta be wary, because I've seen it. I've seen people come, I've seen people go. I've seen them come, I've seen them go. You gotta be chill. Take what's good in your life and move forward cautiously and carefully, and thank God that you have that. Everybody is dispensable."

It means staying balanced even when everything goes well. And it means not getting too low when nothing seems to be working out for you. Just staying balanced all the way through.

Symbols in Temperance Tarot Card

Let's look at the card's symbols now.

 Angel

As usual, the picture in the card depicts a winged, serene, concentrated figure. There's no struggle here, no forcing anything. There's only pouring steadily. It's the essence of this card.

Cups

There are two cups in the card, with water being poured from one to another in a continuous process. It symbolizes the balance and constant readjustment.

Feet

There are feet of the angel with one foot on land and another one in water. In this way, she's connecting two worlds: terrestrial and celestial. Spiritual and material. Practical and mystical. There's no dichotomy here; she's embracing both realms at once.

Triangle and Square Shapes

Sometimes depicted on the clothes of the angel, these shapes are the symbols of spirituality and practicality. You can be practical and spiritual at once.

Where Did Temperance Come From

Temperance has been always included in tarot since its very beginning. At least in Italian versions. Early tarot cards included Temperance among Virtues along with Justice, Fortitude, and Prudence. The card was used as a moral compass, urging tarot readers to live moderately.

At those times, there was no certain position of this card within the Major Arcana. It could appear in position VI or VII.

With the development of tarot, Temperance became the 14th card in the Major Arcana in the Tarot de Marseille. Its position was no accident; you can see it between Death and the Devil.

First you meet death, then you gain the harmony of Temperance and finally you overcome your temptations. You can't bypass any of the difficult stages.

Temperance Meaning When It Appears Upright

This card is a good omen. But it doesn't symbolize any excitement in your life.

Temperance in Career Readings and Finances

In career readings, Temperance stands for the sustainable success.

You don't have to overwork to achieve your goals. At the same time, you don't have to be lazy and wait for the success. You're progressing steadily.

This card can also stand for the diplomatic work you need to do in your career. You may be mediating or trying to combine different things at work without any chaos.

In terms of finances, the card suggests that you spend wisely. There's no need in any deprivation but only in the moderation. The angel is pouring steadily; you should do the same. You shouldn't make any hasty and imprudent decisions in financial affairs. Don't spend money to relieve your anxiety or make you happy temporarily.

Temperance in Love Readings

In love readings, Temperance stands for the good relationships.

This card is all about the harmonious connections, understanding, respect. There's no passion, only stable warmth between you and your partner. You're not having any difficulties or conflicts anymore.

In case if you're single at the moment, this card shows that you don't need any desperation and chase. You're ready to become the person who attracts a good partner because you're balanced and harmonious yourself.

Temperance also suggests reconciliation. If there were any conflicts in your past, Temperance can show the path of compromise and meeting each other half-way.

You shouldn't ask yourself whether you give and take equally. The key question is: are you listening to your beloved one as much as you talk?

Temperance in Health Readings

In health readings, Temperance also stands for the integration. You shouldn't treat the body and mind separately. They are connected and if one is damaged, the other one suffers too.

This card often appears when you've been neglecting your body. You've been living unbalanced life, ignoring its signals. Temperance shows that you have to start living in harmony with your body.

It may mean establishing a better routine and eating and sleeping on time. Moving your body and not punishing it.

The card can also suggest healing. If you have some chronic illness or are recovering, Temperance reminds that you need to be patient. Healing is not a linear process; it has ups and downs.

You shouldn't rush or force anything. The angel is pouring steadily; you should do the same.

Temperance in Spiritual and Personal Growth Readings

From spiritual perspective, Temperance is about the same: integration. You're not only sitting on the meditation pillow but also practicing meditation in the real world. While driving, arguing, working.

It can mean that you found the spiritual practice which works for you. Not because it's recommended but because it makes you grounded.

Sometimes this card may suggest you to integrate your traditions and approaches in the spiritual matters. To leave unnecessary things and take useful.

The angel standing with one foot on the land and another one in water is reminding us that there's no need to choose between the material and spiritual. We can have everything at once.

We can be practical and mystical. Grounded and opened.

Temperance Meaning When It Appears Reversed

Reversed Temperance in tarot readings is a negative sign. But it's not disaster; it just shows that something is wrong.

Reversed Temperance in Career Readings and Finances

Reversed Temperance in career readings usually means the state of exhaustion or boredom.

You're working either too much or too little. In both cases, it's unsustainable. You have either to push yourself or relax.

Financially, it usually means impulsiveness. You're spending your money to distract yourself from some stressful situations.

What you should do? Balance the pace. If you're overworking, reduce the workload. If you're underworking, find something interesting for you.

Temperance Reversed in Love Readings

If this card appears reversed in your love reading, you're probably in imbalance.

One of your partners gives too much while another takes. Or both of them struggle and try to prove their point of view but it leads to nothing.

It can also mean that you're avoiding important conversation with your beloved one or you postpone it constantly. You're accumulating resentments instead of solving the issues.

Or you're experiencing emotional extremes, swinging between hot moments and cool periods of time in your relationships. No balance.

What you should do? Speak up and discuss the problems. Look for the compromise and don't try to prove your point of view. Find the balance or seek help.

Reversed Temperance in Health Readings

When the card appears reversed, it's a warning that you're ignoring something.

Probably, it's the problem of stress in your life. Probably, you're ignoring the symptoms. Or you're using food, alcohol, or electronics to numb yourself instead of solving the problem.

You're ignoring the signals of your body. It catches up with you.

What you should do? Start with small steps. Choose one healthy step today. Listen to your body.

Combinations of Temperance Card

When the card appears along with some other card, the meaning changes.

Temperance and The Fool: New beginnings with wisdom; you're not jumping in blind.

Temperance and Death: Transitions are managed well by you. You're flowing with the changes.

Temperance and The Star: Creative inspiration and peace. You're inspired without forcing.

Temperance and Wands: Passion is channelled successfully. Your fire is controlled.

Temperance and Cups: You're emotionally mature and you manage emotions easily.

Temperance and Swords: Clear and calm thoughts. Head and heart work together.

Temperance and Pentacles: Practical balance. Finances are in order. Good work-life balance.

How to Practice Temperance Card

You don't have to pull tarot cards to practice the energy of Temperance. Here are some ideas.

Visualization

Imagine the image of the angel pouring water between cups. Now imagine this water is your energy. Are you pouring it all into one cup? Work? Love? Worry? Temperance says: "Pour a little into each. Equally and steadily."

Journaling Prompts

• Where am I going to extremes?
• Where am I avoiding something?
• What would balance really look like in my life right now? Not perfect – just better.

Conflict Resolution

Before discussing something, stop and ask yourself what do you and the other party need. Try to find a middle ground. Temperance doesn't win the conflicts; it resolves them.

Daily Practices

Pause before reacting. Take some breaks during your day. Take a walk instead of scrolling the phone. Make a healthy choice today.

Bottom Line

Temperance is not about being boring and cautious. It's about being sustainable. It's about knowing that you can't live on the "empty tank" all the time. It's about pouring your energy steadily, evenly and in right directions.

The angel in the card isn't struggling. She's not sweating. She's not forcing the water to flow. She's pouring steadily. Patiently. Trusting that the right amount will reach the right place at the right time.

This is the secret of Temperance. Not control. Trust.

If you want to see where Temperance is in your life – or where you need to pour a little more evenly – head to Advanced Tarot Online and pull some cards for yourself.