Key Meanings

Upright

Balance, patience, moderation, harmony, calm, purpose, healing, middle path, self-control, blending opposites, inner peace, steady progress

Reversed

Imbalance, excess, impatience, lack of harmony, overindulgence, discord, rushing, extremes, self-neglect, conflict, burnout, losing perspective

General Interpretation

Upright

Temperance is the card of balance and moderation. It signifies that you are experiencing a calm after the chaos where everything is starting to come together nicely. It indicates that you are starting to merge opposites such as head and heart, work and rest, giving and receiving. These opposites are no longer in conflict, they are cooperating to create something better than either could alone. It also indicates that you are learning to have patience. This is not an impatient waiting, this is a real grounded patience that indicates you are starting to trust the process.

Reversed

When Temperance is reversed, the balance we had been striving for is gone. We may have too much of one thing and not enough of another. Too much work and not enough rest. Too much spending and not enough saving. Too much giving and not enough receiving. Whatever the case, the balance has been lost and it is causing friction, frustration or burnout in our lives. Alternately, Temperance reversed can indicate that you are feeling impatient and want to rush things rather than let them unfold in time.

Love & Partnership

Upright

For people already in a relationship, Temperance indicates a time of harmony and mutual understanding. You and your partner are meeting each other halfway. The compromises you make don't feel forced. They are happening organically. Communication is easier and there is a sense of partnership rather than two separate people moving in different directions. It can appear after a couple has resolved a period of turbulence and got back on track.

For single people, Temperance can be a sign that you are taking a calm and patient approach to love. Instead of rushing or forcing things, you are learning to be at peace with things in the moment. That kind of balance is what draws healthier relationships to you. It can also indicate that you may meet a future partner by merging two worlds, i.e. someone from a foreign country or different social class.

Reversed

In the context of an existing relationship, Temperance reversed can signify tension caused by imbalance. One person may feel like they're putting all the work in emotionally while their partner is along for the ride. Small irritations escalate when neither partner brings them up. The natural balance of the relationship is off and resentment can slowly build if it's not addressed.

If you are single, Temperance reversed can indicate that you are becoming impatient with the process of finding love. You may find yourself rushing into something too quickly or choosing someone unsuitable out of frustration. It can also signify that you are struggling to figure out what you truly want in a partner and finding yourself veering to one extreme or the other.

Social Relationships

Upright

Within existing friendships and social circles, Temperance signifies smooth and balanced dynamics. People are getting along. Differences in opinion don't escalate into arguments, as there is enough respect between you and your friends to deal with them like mature adults. Old tensions may have dissipated and friendships feel secure and dependable. It's generally a positive omen for group harmony.

As with the other areas of your life, Temperance tells you that the right people will come into your life at the right time. New friendships should be forming quite naturally and easily. Often the people you meet will be quite different to you in some way but will complement you nicely. These are not friendships you will have to force, they will evolve at a natural, organic pace.

Reversed

In terms of current social relationships, Temperance reversed can suggest conflict or imbalance. Perhaps one of your friendships has become completely one-sided and is leaving you feeling drained. Or maybe a group of friends you used to get along with has become toxic and is characterised by cliques and petty drama. Whatever the case, the balance in your social relationships has been upset.

New social connections may feel forced or awkward with this reversal. There is no flow. You may find conversations fizzle out, or plans don't materialise, or potential friendships just don't click in the way they should. It can also signify attracting people into your life who will bring more chaos than calm. This usually happens when you are out of sorts yourself.

Work & Career

Upright

Temperance in a career context indicates that you are taking a balanced approach to work. Deadlines are being met without the last-minute panic. You are finding it easy to work with your coworkers and there is a sense of things progressing nicely rather than taking huge leaps forward or having stressful last-minute scrambles. It can signify that you have discovered a productive workflow or that different elements of a project are coming together nicely. It can also signify that you are learning to be patient with your career progression and realise that everything will come in time.

Reversed

In a work context, Temperance reversed can be an indicator of burnout or going at too much of a pace. You have lost the work/life balance. You may be finding your projects are becoming disorganised, uncoordinated, and priorities may be conflicting. It can indicate butting heads with colleagues due to a lack of communication or an unwillingness to compromise work styles. It can signify that you are becoming impatient with your career progression and may be jumping before you look, quitting your job without a plan or biting off more than you can chew.

Money & Finance

Upright

Financially, Temperance is a card of moderation and wise management. It's the energy of making a budget and sticking to it, spending within your means and slowly saving up a rainy day fund. Nothing extravagant. Nothing crazy. Just sensible, responsible financial behaviour that will give you security down the line. It can also indicate that you have found the balance between enjoying the money you have now and saving for the future, not penny-pinching or spending extravagantly!

Reversed

When reversed in a financial context, Temperance can indicate that you are being excessive or lacking proper balance with money. Overspending is a common sign, but so is the other extreme of being so frugal that it causes you stress and negatively impacts your life. It can also indicate that you are making financial decisions in haste or without proper thought. You may have an imbalance between your income and outgoings that you have failed to address for a while, leading to a problem building up gradually.

Spirituality

Upright

Spiritually, Temperance is all about inner peace and finding your centre. You will feel that your mind, body and spirit are connected and working together as opposed to disconnected and working against each other. You will find that spiritual practices come easily to you at this time, whether that be meditation, spending time in nature or just taking time out to be present in the moment in your daily life. There is also an element of blending with this card spiritually. It can signify discovering spiritual truths by blending concepts from various different belief systems or philosophies rather than adhering strictly to one.

Reversed

In a spiritual context, Temperance reversed signifies that you are feeling disconnected. Your inner world may feel noisy or all over the place. You may find that spiritual practices that once brought you peace no longer do, or that your spiritual development has completely stalled as a result of a lack of consistency. Alternately, you may find yourself going to extremes of being all into your spiritual side for a period of time and then not engaging with it at all for another period of time, never finding a consistent balance. It can also be an indication that you want to rush ahead in your spiritual development or you want the answers you seek, but you are not willing to do the slow, unsexy inner work that is necessary to achieve your goals.