Temperance Tarot Card Meaning

The imagery of this card is typically peaceful yet rich, featuring a figure performing a special action. The figure is an angel, dressed in a pure white robe, holding a cup in each hand, pouring a magical liquid from one to the other.

Regarding the angelic figure, this card corresponds to Raphael, an angel whose original legends and origins are complex, overlapping with the duties and images of many other angels, such as guarding the Garden of Eden, assisting in the creation of the world and humanity, guiding souls, and protecting the Virgin Mary. His rank remains confusing even later. However, his most unique and important role and image is that of a "healing angel," possessing the great power to heal physical and spiritual wounds and suffering. He radiates a light of charity and love, with many magical abilities to perform rescue and healing. Thus, he is related to medical and therapeutic systems or arts, and can be considered the guardian or progenitor of these fields, naturally also associated with the medical symbol of the caduceus, and also related to alchemy.

Therefore, the angel's image is pure and spotless, dressed in a clean white robe in the picture, representing a gentle soft light. This healing angel will cleanse your soul. The wings added to the figure represent the potential for transformation and change, indicating that finding the sunshine in life is imminent. The fiery red wings signify a passionate nature and active action. The angel's expression is focused and devoted, with a radiant light emanating from the head.

This winged angel, with a male appearance and a female expression, is neither male nor female, transcending gender, as angels are genderless. He does not quite fit into the established angelic hierarchy and is usually assigned to the order of ministering spirits in this card. Sometimes he is also considered the sun god or the sun spirit. We can transcend religious issues, whether the angel is a spirit of a specific religion. He can even not be an angel but a state of human cultivation or any kind of spiritual entity, always bringing healing and comfort. We can give a temporary name "healing angel."

On the forehead of the "angel," there is a golden sun-shaped symbol, like his third eye, which is a very important part, representing the pineal gland and the forehead chakra of humans, indicating the maturity of wisdom. The golden sun symbol represents light, clarity, and wisdom, and its position on the forehead is the great power of the third eye, the force of insight and directness, detection, and diagnosis. The third eye has already been revealed, and there must be extraordinary abilities to be displayed, as well as the light of wisdom, which is a state of success achieved through long-term careful and serious cultivation.

The white robe has neat straight pleats, without other decorations, except for the triangular and square symbols on his chest at the heart chakra. In addition to the square, there is a triangle, indicating the harmony of matter and spirit, the harmony of the two levels of the world. The entire symbol has seven corners, commanding the seven chakras, and drawing on the energy of the seven stars. This symbol is located at the heart chakra, representing the openness and tolerance of the heart, accommodating the symbolic objects of this symbol.

This healing angel holds a chalice in each hand, pouring the liquid from one chalice into another, and he seems to keep pouring back and forth. Carefully observe the posture of the angel's hands and the way the chalice is held, and this picture is paused at a certain moment in between, showing the right hand down and the left hand up. The two chalices in the hands are communicating with each other through the liquid.

And in this series of operations, not a single drop of water is spilled, which is extremely successful and perfect. The angel's expression is focused, and the eyes are peacefully looking down at the magical instrument in the hands. The cup holder is practicing high-level alchemy, which is a picture of practice, but not a hard practice method, it is a voluntary and leisurely practice method, so it has a peaceful expression.

The liquid in the two cups is mixed in this operation. We can regard it as ordinary practice and preview, but we can also consider it as alchemical operation. Even more mysteriously, his posture is also a kind of exercise, the cups can be a symbol of the body's organ containers, and the water flow between the cups can be considered as the guidance of the body's "qi" or "magnetic field". And the liquid in it is the mystery, which must not be ordinary water, but must be the healing holy water, the refined elixir, the essence of life. The water in the cup is a symbol of infinity, what you think it contains is what it is, what kind of practice is actually the content in the bottle.

Next, observe the posture of the healing angel's body: the left foot is on the stone on the shore, and the right foot is extended into the water, and the center of gravity seems to be between the two. Stepping on the land indicates contact with the actual level, the level of consciousness. Going deep into the water indicates touching the emotional and spiritual level, the subconscious level. The angel stepping into the water is the first card to touch the water and explore the subconscious level, and can directly feel emotions and deep consciousness.

On the clear water surface, there are slight ripples, and in the ripples, there is a vague reflection, which is a kind of projection, a reflection of the soul. You can wash or observe yourself through this water surface. This ground water is connected to the water in the cup through the angel's toe touch. This water area is interconnected with the water areas of other cards, and the angel's touch is a global connection. We analyze the entire picture to have so many dual signs, and the focus is on the integration of dualism, and it is integrated under a harmonious state.

On the right side of the angel's right hand, a road starts from the shore, climbs up the slope, and goes to the distant mountains at the edge of the horizon. The double peaks of the distant mountains also bloom with bright light. This double-peak shape is also that mysterious Egyptian symbol ~ Djew and Akhet.

And this light is the rising sun from the horizon, a piece of gold, a crown. This pattern has a deep meaning, it is the unity of three golden colors, symbolizing the body, mind, and spirit of humans. The crown is the focus of alchemy, the highest success, the material refined at a high level, the material transformed into gold sun. The nobility of matter is called gold, and the nobility of spirit is called a crown, which is the so-called "Golden Dawn" mystery. The sun and the angel of temperance have an interaction, and through the sun on the forehead of the angel of temperance, the energy of the "Golden Dawn" can be mobilized, so there is light on the head and body. "Golden Dawn" is at the end of the long road, representing that it takes a long time to cultivate to achieve. So we know that this card reveals the way of cultivation of the Golden Dawn, which is in harmony with the liquid in the angel's chalice, and is also a part of the secret of eternal life.

On the other side of the background, behind the angel on the left, there are several irises growing on the ground, representing peace and tranquility. There are two yellow flowers, matched with green leaves, and they also echo all the yellow parts in the picture. The overall color matching is so pure, all are healing colors. This is the baptism and purification that temperance wants to bring to you, as well as the preparation for redemption, this is your spiritual gift.

The Angel

The central figure of the Temperance card is an androgynous angel, representing a higher spiritual force that brings about healing and harmony. This angel is often associated with Archangel Michael or the “Guardian of Fire”. The angel’s presence is a symbol of divine intervention and spiritual guidance.

The Two Cups

The angel is shown pouring water between two cups, symbolizing the transmutation of energies and the alchemical process of turning the base into the sublime. This act is one of balance and moderation, merging opposites into a unified, harmonious whole.

The Iridescent Triangle on the Angel’s Robe

This triangle, placed upon the chest of the angel, is an emblem of fire and points upwards, symbolizing spirit. When combined with the square (which represents earth and matter) beneath it, it forms a symbol of the integration of spirit and matter, the merging of above and below.

One Foot on Land, One in Water

The angel stands with one foot on the earth and one in a pool of water, indicating a balance between intuition and reality, emotion and practicality. This suggests the blending of the conscious and unconscious, and the importance of integrating both aspects of oneself for true inner harmony.

The Path and the Crown

Behind the angel is a luminous, narrow pathway that leads to a distant mountain crowned by the golden light. This path signifies the middle way, the path of moderation and balance that leads to enlightenment.

The Sun

The rising sun in the background symbolizes hope, clarity, and the dawn of a new day. As with many cards in the tarot, the presence of the sun suggests illumination, clarity, and divine energy.