BALANCE
HEALTH
COMBINATION
Certain people exude a kind of quiet composure. They may not say much, but they go about their business with an air of calm deliberation. Their presence is comforting because they are so centered. For me, this is the energy of Temperance.
To be temperate is to show moderation and self-restraint. In a world full of enticing indulgences, it is often necessary to find the middle ground. Sensible, maybe, but also a bit boring?
The energy of Temperance may seem unexciting on the surface, but it is the calm of a hurricane’s eye. All around are swirling winds, but in the center is a still point that brings everything into balance.
In readings, Temperance can represent a need for moderation, especially when extreme cards are present (such as the Knights).
This card can also indicate a need for balance. In conflict situations, Temperance suggests that compromise and cooperation are vital. Look for any opportunity to bring opposing parties together. To temper can mean to modify by adding a new component. By combining and recombining, we come up with the ideal mixture or solution. Temperance is the card of good health in all areas – physical, mental, and emotional. When illness or disease is a concern, Temperance holds out the promise of vitality and well-being.
being temperate
- finding the middle ground
- showing moderation
- avoiding excess
- mitigating a harsh position
- looking for the golden mean
- reaching a compromise
- offsetting an extreme
maintaining balance
- experiencing harmony
- achieving equilibrium
- bringing together opposites
- recognizing all sides
- fostering cooperation
- feeling centered and secure
experiencing health
- renewing energy and vigor
- healing
- enjoying well-being
- recovering
- flourishing
combining forces
- gathering together what is needed
- joining with others
- consolidating
- finding the right mix
- creating synthesis
- getting it all together
Some possibilities
- Tower – extremes, exploding apart
- Five of Wands – disagreement, competition, imbalance
- Seven of Cups – excess, overindulgence
- Five of Swords – discord, lack of harmony
- Five of Pentacles – ill-health
Some possibilities
- World – integration, synthesis, combination
- Two of Cups – connection, working together
- Three of Cups – joining forces, working together
- Two of Pentacles – balance, finding the right mix
- Three of Pentacles – teamwork, combining
There are no separate explanations for reversed cards. The meaning of a reversed card depends on what the card would mean if upright. A reversed card shows that a card’s energy is present but at a lower level. For some reason, the energy cannot be expressed freely, normally, or completely. It may be:
- still in its early stages
- losing force and power
- blocked or restricted
- incomplete
- inappropriate
- being denied
- only present in appearance
See Lesson 17 for more information on reversed cards.