XIV. Temperance

Upright

• Taking the middle way; avoiding the extremes.
• Everything in moderation.
• Synthesizing seeming opposites.
• Creating a balanced mixture.
• Adding something to achieve a better balance in a mixture.
• Adding something to improve the quality of a mixture.
• Tempering by carefully exposing to extremes.

Temperance is often thought of as a major of moderation, of seeking the middle way and steering clear of extremes. Moderation may well be a suitable interpretation for this card in any reading. Exercising restraint, and fighting temptations to be too audacious can lead to greater success and happiness.

For more possible interpretations of this card, let's look to the many meanings of the verb "temper" from which "Temperance" is derived. In metallurgy, tempering a piece of metal, like a blade, is the process of repeatedly heating and cooling to strengthen a piece of metal. It may also be the addition of other substances to metal as a way to strengthen it or otherwise alter its properties to be more useful. When preparing custard, tempering is the addition of some hot cream to egg yolks. Tempering the egg yolks in that way prevents them from scrambling when added into the rest of the hot cream.

In light of those meanings for the verb "temper", it may also make sense to interpret the major Temperance as meaning fortifying a substance by introducing it to other substances, even ones which may seem antipodal at first glance. It may also signify that a person, item, or situation would be improved by the introduction of another person, substance, or idea.

Temperance can be about synthesizing that which appears to be contrary, for example: finding ways to bring opposing sides of a debate together to find common ground.

Reversed

• Separating wheat from chaff, so to speak.
• Dispersing elements to isolate a particular component of a whole.
• Working to repair/discard a nonfunctioning part rather than trying to make it part of a functional whole.
• Not really a balance or a mixture; more of a juggling act.
• Things that are better off separate than they are together.

Temperance oftentimes indicates that things can be made better through synthesis, sometimes by introducing new substances to a mixture, or new ideas to a culture. Temperance reversed, on the other hand, indicates that there is something to be gained by separating substances— wheat from chaff, gems from rocks pearls of wisdom from triteness or sophistry.

It may be the case that one part of a machine, or one chapter in a book, is holding back the whole. Rather than trying to compensate for one weak point by altering other parts of the machine or the book, it would be much better to focus efforts on fixing the part that needs work the most. Perhaps ditching the it altogether will be necessary if it turns out to be unworkable.

Sometimes things just work out better separated. If a person has two friends who don't get along, it's still possible for that person to keep in touch with both friends so long as those friends do not have to interact. Life can feel like a juggling act if one wants to hang onto two or more incompatible aspects, though, so be mindful that management of such aspects will take some effort.

This card might indicate that it's time to get rid of that which isn't needed, which is just taking up space and weighing on the mind needlessly. Less can often be more: less gadgets and more space, less house and less cleaning (more free time), less work and less stress (more health). In practical and creative efforts too, this card can signify the benefit of cutting out that which isn't needed and streamlining efforts.

On the other hand, if a particular effort, item, or philosophy seems infeasible or unsalvageable, this card may indicate that there are salvageable aspects which do have value, and it's only a matter of finding them.