Two jugs
A blending of opposites: feeling and reason, past and future. Something new is born from them.
Tap the card to flip it
Major Arcana · XIV
Temperance Tarot Card Meaning
Temperance is a card of harmony, patience and the golden mean. It brings opposites together and teaches you to find balance without going to extremes. The card speaks of gradual, calm progress toward a goal and of healing.
Upright
- harmony
- balance
- patience
- healing
- moderation
Reversed
- imbalance
- extremes
- impatience
- excess
- conflict
Yes or no
Likely yes
Temperance answers “yes, but not right away.” The result will come if you act calmly and without overdoing it.
Ask the cards your own question →- Number
- XIV
- Element
- Fire
- Astrology
- Sagittarius
Card symbolism in our deck
On the card in Heinrich Pangrau’s deck, an angel pours water from one jug into another. The angel stands at the water’s edge, the sun rises behind, and irises bloom nearby.
Stream of water
A smooth exchange of energy. Nothing is spilled: everything in due measure.
Angel at the water’s edge
One foot on land, the other by the water: balance between the material and the spiritual.
Rising sun
The path to a goal and renewal. Patience leads to the light.
Irises
Flowers of hope and of the link between worlds. A sign that healing has already begun.
Temperance meaning
Temperance upright is a period of calm and harmony. You find a balance between work and rest, between wishes and what is possible. Conflicts smooth out.
The card advises you not to rush and to avoid extremes. Gradual steps, compromise and patience give the best results. It is often a sign of recovery after a difficult period.
Temperance reversed
Temperance reversed is a loss of balance. A person swings from one extreme to another: overeating, overworking, overspending, lashing out emotionally.
Another meaning is impatience and conflict. The sides cannot reach an agreement, each pulls the blanket to their side, and attempts to speed things up only make everything worse.
Temperance in love, work, money and health
Love and relationships
Upright A harmonious, calm relationship, mutual understanding and the ability to find common ground. A good sign for reconciliation.
Reversed Arguments over trifles, different expectations, an emotional roller coaster.
Feelings This person feels warm, steady affection for you. They feel at ease with you and do not want to rush things.
Work and career
Upright Smooth teamwork, negotiations, gradual growth. Good for medicine, psychology and mediation.
Reversed Overload, conflicts within the team, trying to do everything at once.
Money
Upright Stability, sensible spending. The budget is balanced.
Reversed Impulse purchases, debts from overindulgence.
Health
Upright Recovery, healing. Moderation in food and daily routine helps.
Reversed The consequences of excess and a disrupted routine.
Temperance as a person
As a person, Temperance is calm, even-tempered and diplomatic. Knows how to reconcile people. A doctor, a psychologist, a mediator.
The card’s advice
Upright Look for the golden mean and take your time.
Reversed Stop and cut back on the excess: extremes are harmful right now.
Card of the Day
Draw your card of the day
Temperance as the card of the day
A calm day. Good for negotiations, reconciliation and self-care.
Combinations with other cards
- Temperance + The StarHealing and hope after a difficult period.
- Temperance + The LoversA harmonious union, mutual understanding.
- Temperance + The DevilStruggling with an addiction, looking for moderation.
- Temperance + Two of CupsReconciliation, a warm relationship.
- Temperance + Two of PentaclesThe skill of balancing several things at once.
- Temperance + Six of SwordsA gradual way out of a difficult situation.
Frequently asked questions about Temperance
Is Temperance a yes or no card?
Likely “yes,” but the result will come gradually.
What does Temperance mean in a relationship?
Harmony, mutual understanding and the ability to find common ground.
What does Temperance reversed mean?
Imbalance, extremes, impatience and conflict.
What kind of person is Temperance?
A calm, diplomatic person who knows how to reconcile others.
What does Temperance mean as the card of the day?
A calm day for negotiations and self-care.