Learning the Tarot Cards: XIV - Temperance

 

The Major Arcana Deck: Temperance

Number XIV 

The system of numerology (inc. Tarot) reduces numbers to a single digit i.e. in this instance 14 = 1 + 4 = 5

Five

The beginning (1) of organisation, logical mental reasoning by the physical human full of spirit (4)

Motion
Self-initiative
Awareness of change
Balance in its own equation (middle)
Wholeness through the interaction of elemental parts
Expansiveness
Proper spiritual understanding  

Arcana

Major deck (signals cycle in life and represents key time)

Element

Fire

Planet

Jupiter 

Card Meaning

Calm and balancing approach, moderation - in action, thought, or feeling, restraint

The middle path, adapting to new circumstances, patience, diplomacy and control 
Temperament and harmonisation of the physic and material
Perspective, management and contentment, cooperation, mediation 
The impossible is possible; unrealistic can be achieved 
Alchemy (Chemistry) healing, synthesis, fusion, attunement, peace
Purpose, meaning

Key Symbols

Angel the spiritual aspect of ourselves, the harmony of the body and the emotions, messengers of important information, higher thoughts and ideas
The triangle on Angel's gown the spiritual aspect of ourselves and the material world - union, balance, creativity and love
The Cups and water between them represent keeping in motion and flowing. Water flows back and forth between the vessels, combining energies to create a union of opposites. The cups represent our ability to receive and exchange information - finding the right mix 

Water formless experience-emotion, dissolution of the ego, release and cleansing. The Pool - water represents the subconscious, ideas, dreams, inspiration, and creativity from which one comes. The flowing of water expresses that the energy is accessible
The Feet in Water and on Land symbolises a spiritual walk of aligning our mind, body and spirit - balance. The right foot in water represents consciousness, signaling that our analytical minds need to be quiet for a while. The left foot on land represents unconsciousness signaling the need to ground ourselves
Trees/Plants life itself, the evolution of experience and awareness
Lillies (flowers) purity of motivation, growth, love and joy
Angel’s white gown purity of motivation
Mountains in the background the quest for truth to a higher sphere of existence, the emergence of new ideas, challenge and attainment
Sun in the background energy, expansion, growth, creativity. Rising - new beginnings
Path/road in background direction, endings and beginnings

Main Colours

Yellow represents the element of Air, which governs mental activity and stimulates the intellect and imagination. It symbolises creativity, skills, adaptiveness, commerce and an intellectual approach or balance
Red is ‘fiery” and represents the element of fire (vitality and strength). It incites passion and acquisition or an intense desire of any sort, whether it is: eagerness, courage, energy, strength, health, wealth or love
Blue/Light represents the element of water, a balanced spiritual understanding and symbolises wisdom, truth, confidence, faith, loyalty, successful enterprise, expansion
Green represents the element of earth. It symbolises nature, fertility, attributes of youth, renewal - growth and harmony 
Brown groundedness, nurturing, strong and firm
White symbolises cleansing, balance, purity, truth, sincerity, the virtue of all kinds, the highest spirituality and purity of motive, peace
Orange balanced blending, harmony, contentment and intelligence

Affirmation

 "‘All is working as One,’ I have a strong inner balance. I listen and trust my inner voice and passion, it is guiding me to the right outcome, and I patiently go and follow with complete faith. ‘ It is time to bring calm - balance, patience and moderation into my life. In understanding, I take the middle road and avoid extremes. I possess an abundance source of patience because I respect the ‘balance’ and understand tranquillity. It is what helps me achieve and experience fulfilment in my life. There is magical power in calmness and concentration. I relish the change, balanced interaction, in which previous facets of my life mold into the new." 

Reading

Temperance shows up in a reading to reflect a time of connecting and being gentle with ourselves. It indicates healing is in need or is taking place, informing us that subtle shifts are required or need to take place to gain the peace we seek. There are seemingly loose parts in our life, and these parts need to be put together in a new way to create a new situation or state of mind. Hence there is the need to balance different aspects of us that blend together to make us whole. It’s time to recover our flow and get our life back into order and balance. Temperance is beckoning us to stabilise our energy and allow the life force to flow through us without force or resistance. In doing so, we need to curb excesses (avoid extremes) and explore different aspects. We must not rush things along; instead, take our time to ensure that we do the best job we can - a moderate, guided approach is required to reach our goals (a call to be calm even if life feels stressful or frantic). It reminds us to maintain an even temperament and to manage our emotions. Within Temperance, there is also Alchemy, a reflection of higher learning and chemistry of blending (mixing and combining) of diverse elements in a way that creates new and even more valuable than its separate parts. 

Temperance is the Universe’s way of letting us know tranquil and cleansing waters are running through us, to aid us to free flow between the energy of the conscious and unconscious as well as feeling a sense of purpose in our lives. 

Balance is key to joy and peace, and moderation in ‘all’ is ultimate resoluteness