Temperance XIV in the Rider Waite Tarot
Table of contents
Table of contents
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
Temperance Rider Waite Smith : meaning and interpretation
Major
Water
Sagittarius
Overall, Temperance is a card of peace, balance and fluidity. It embodies the ability to harmonise opposites, to find the right balance, to act without excess or rigidity. It speaks of patience, moderation and emotional intelligence. When it appears in a draw, it invites us to slow down, to listen, to adjust, to heal – rather than to rush events. It is a card of gentle transition, favouring healthy relationships, balanced processes and calm but lasting progress. It also suggests that you are guided by a subtle, protective force that helps you stay on course even in times of uncertainty. Temperance is the ally of those who choose the path of wisdom and inner harmony.
RWS Tarot : Arcana Temperance readings
Love / Sentimental reading
with the card Temperance
In love, Temperance symbolises balance, gentleness and harmonious communication. If you are in a relationship, this card heralds a period of peace, reconciliation or stabilisation. It indicates that the partners are ready to compromise, to listen and to adjust to each other in order to make the relationship last. It’s a card that speaks of peaceful love, mutual respect, and a bond built on patience. For single people, it suggests a gradual, natural, unhurried encounter – a relationship that will blossom over time. Temperance also advises healing past wounds before opening your heart again. It invites you to cultivate moderation in your emotions, not to get carried away, but to move forward with awareness and emotional balance.
Professional / Work reading
with the card Temperance
In a professional context, Temperance evokes cooperation, adaptation and harmony in the working environment. It indicates that you are capable of adapting diplomatically, moderating your words and creating a serene climate around you. This card is often a sign of mediation, of a role as peacemaker, or of a period when tensions dissolve. It may herald a phase of gentle transition, where things fall into place smoothly but require patience. If you’re waiting for a response or a project to come to fruition, the card advises you not to force events: everything comes at the right time. It’s a good sign for careers in health, listening, helping others or teaching – any profession that requires balance and a sense of interpersonal skills.
Financial / Material / Money reading
with the card Temperance
Financially, Temperance brings an energy of healthy and balanced management. It indicates that you know how to balance your spending and your resources, without excess or deprivation. It is a card that is very favourable to financial stability, as long as you remain measured in your choices. If you’re going through a tense period, it suggests that solutions will come through a thoughtful, patient and organised approach. She advises against impulsive decisions or risky investments. Sometimes, it heralds a readjustment: a new way of managing your budget, more in line with your real needs. It can also symbolise a fair exchange of money, or benevolent material support. In all cases, it encourages you to trust in the fluidity of the financial flow, as long as you remain its balanced guardian.
Family reading
with the card Temperance
In the family sphere, Temperance is a soothing card. It evokes bonds based on listening, patience and mutual understanding. If tensions were present, it heralds a phase of harmonisation, where each is ready to take a step towards the other. This is the card of compromise and restorative dialogue. It can also represent a mediator within the family, or a wise figure who helps to restore peace. It invites us to temper our judgements, to calm inter-generational conflicts, and to favour cohesion over confrontation. It suggests a warm, gentle atmosphere, where everyone gradually finds their rightful place. Temperance supports the idea that the family can evolve together towards greater balance and respect.
Spiritual reading
with the card Temperance
On a spiritual level, Temperance represents inner harmony. It speaks of a path of moderation, of unification between polarities (body and spirit, masculine and feminine, action and receptivity). It invites us to listen to our inner voice while remaining anchored in reality. This is the card of spiritual alchemy: the process by which you transmute your energies and wounds into wisdom and inner peace. It encourages the practice of meditation, prayer and conscious breathing – anything that nourishes inner balance. It also symbolises a present spiritual guide, or a protective and benevolent energy that gently accompanies you on your path. It encourages you to move forward slowly but surely, without rushing into things, in a calm confidence.
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
5-Card spread
Temperance and its positions in a 5-card draw.
Want to better understand how to interpret the card Temperance according to its position in a cross drawing? What does it symbolise as a situation, obstacle, resource, piece of advice or way out? Explore its many facets and find a detailed reading of the card Temperance in every position of the 5-card cross spread Rider Waite.
