Temperance Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed, Love & Yes or No

Upright meaning

Keywords: Harmony · Balance · Healing · Patience · Moderation

An angel is slowly pouring water from one cup into another. With one foot in the water and one on solid ground, they're blending two different things in just the right measure to create harmony. This card is about unhurried balance, healing and recovery.

Love

This is a relationship that grows more comfortable as you work through your differences together. It's less a blazing fire and more a steady glow that lasts. If you've had a falling-out, now is a good time to make up.

Relationships

You're both giving a little and meeting each other halfway. Keep adjusting to each other at this gentle pace and the relationship will settle into something stable.

Career & study

Teamwork and coordination flow well right now. You can bring different opinions together into a strong result, and your work-life balance is in good shape too.

Money

Your income and spending are nicely in balance. Keep things steady and don't overstretch, and your finances will stay on an even keel.

Mind & wellbeing

This is a time of recovery for body and mind. A regular routine, moderate exercise, plenty of water and good rest will help a lot.

As a person

Someone gentle with a good sense of balance. When conflict comes up, they're great at finding the middle ground, and they don't swing to extremes.

As someone's feelings

They want something comfortable and lasting with you. They'd rather not rush, and they want to take their time getting in sync with you.

What to do

Look for the middle ground instead of an all-or-nothing choice. Make sure you build some downtime into your day.

Watch out for

Trying to keep everyone happy could mean losing your own voice. Harmony matters, but say what needs to be said.

Reversed meaning

Keywords: Imbalance · Excess · Impatience · Misalignment

The water is overflowing or spilling to one side. Something has been pushed too far and the balance is off, or rushing ahead has thrown things out of harmony.

Love

There's a big gap in how strongly each of you feels, and it's wearing you both out. One of you may be giving too much or moving too fast, so try to find a pace that works for both of you.

Relationships

Instead of adapting to each other, you're each sticking to your own way of doing things. If small arguments keep coming up, start by getting in sync on everyday habits, one at a time.

Career & study

Work may be piling up in one place, or the team isn't coordinating well. Rework any unrealistic deadlines and divide up the roles again.

Money

It's easy for spending to outrun income right now. Watch out for overspending and impulse buys, and set a fresh budget.

Mind & wellbeing

Your daily rhythm is off, and your body may be feeling it. Cut back on one excess, like overeating, drinking too much or staying up all night.

As a person

Someone with ups and downs in their mood, or who gets hooked on things easily. They tend to go to extremes.

As someone's feelings

They feel the relationship with you is out of balance. They do care, but your different pace or approach has left them confused.

What to do

Pick the one thing you're overdoing most right now and cut it in half. When you slow down, you'll start to see things clearly again.

Watch out for

Be careful about forcing quick results, or pouring everything you have into just one thing.

Symbols in the picture

A winged angel slowly pours water from one cup into another. This is the card of finding balance by blending things in just the right measure.

• Water flowing between two cups. Water streams at a slant from one cup into the other. It's about blending different things in the right amounts. The water seems to flow in an impossible direction, which can also point to a harmony beyond the ordinary. Don't lean too far one way. Try mixing things together.
  Reversed: When the card is upside down, the water that moved between the two cups is now pouring into just one. You're putting too much into a single thing, whether it's work or money, so this is a sign to ease off a little.
• One foot in water, one on land. One foot rests in the water and the other stands on land. It's the balance between feelings and practical life. Take care of both your heart and your everyday reality.
  Reversed: The feet are still in the water and on the land, but all the weight is on one of them. You're tending to only your feelings or only your practical life, so it's time to look at the side you've been ignoring.
• The triangle on the chest. A triangle inside a square is drawn on the chest of the white robe. The spirit (the triangle) living inside the body (the square), harmony between inside and out. Look after your body and your mind together.
  Reversed: Like the triangle inside the square, body and mind are meant to move together, but right now they're out of step. If your body is worn out while your mind keeps racing ahead, make rest your first priority.
• The path beyond the mountains. In the background, a path winds between the mountains toward a glowing crown. A goal you'll reach if you go at a steady pace. You'll get there without rushing.
  Reversed: The crown at the end of the path hasn't moved, but you're so eager to get there that you want to skip ahead. The more you hurry, the farther away it gets, so start by mapping out a longer plan.
• The irises by the water. Yellow irises bloom at the water's edge. The iris is the flower of Iris, goddess of the rainbow. It stands for the peace and hope that come after a conflict. Tension eases and things start to heal.
  Reversed: The irises are still blooming, but the peace that should follow a conflict has stalled. If you're at odds with someone over what you each want, try meeting halfway little by little instead of trying to win.