Temperance Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed, Love & Yes/No
The middle path works best today. Blend opposites, take your time, and let things come together at their natural pace.
| Arcana | Major Arcana |
|---|---|
| Number | 14 (XIV) |
| Element | Fire |
| Astrology | Sagittarius |
| Hebrew letter | Samekh (Golden Dawn attribution) |
| Yes or no | Yes |
| Upright | balance, moderation, patience, healing |
| Reversed | excess, imbalance, rushing |
Temperance symbolism
A winged angel stands with one foot on land and one in a pool of water, pouring liquid between two cups in a continuous flow. A triangle within a square is marked on the chest, and a path leads toward a distant crown of light over the mountains. The angel mixes opposites patiently until they become something new.
The descriptions on this site refer to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (1909), illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith and designed with Arthur Edward Waite, which is the reference for most modern tarot. Other decks may show different imagery with a similar meaning.
Upright meaning
- balance
- moderation
- patience
- healing
Temperance is the card of balance, moderation and healing. It shows that the best result will come from blending different elements carefully, whether that means combining ideas, finding a middle path in a conflict or pacing yourself.
The card asks for patience. The angel does not rush the pouring, and the process of healing or finding balance also takes time. Temperance favours recovery, cooperation and a calm, steady approach. Its number is fourteen, reduced to five, the number of adjustment.
Reversed meaning
- excess
- imbalance
- rushing
Reversed, Temperance shows imbalance and excess: overworking, overspending, overreacting or swinging between extremes. It can also indicate impatience or a conflict where neither side is willing to compromise.
The remedy is to slow down and look for the middle ground. Small, consistent adjustments work better than dramatic swings.
New to reversals? Our guide to reading reversed tarot cards explains the different ways readers interpret an upside-down card.
Temperance in love and relationships
Upright in love
In love, Temperance brings harmony, compromise and emotional healing. It favours relationships where both partners adapt to each other. For singles, it suggests a calm, balanced connection rather than a whirlwind.
Reversed in love
Reversed in love, the card can indicate imbalance, clashing priorities or one partner giving much more than the other.
Temperance as feelings
As feelings, Temperance means someone feels calm and balanced around you. They see the connection as healthy and harmonious.
Career and work
At work, Temperance supports collaboration, mediation and projects that require patience and fine-tuning. Avoid burnout by pacing yourself.
Money and finances
With money, Temperance advises moderation and balanced budgets. Avoid extremes in both spending and saving.
Is Temperance a yes or no card?
Yes
Temperance is a yes, but a patient one. Things will work out if you allow them to develop gradually.
Want to ask your own question? Try our yes or no tarot, which uses the same yes, no and maybe values shown on this page.
Number, element and astrology
Temperance is card 14 (XIV) of the Major Arcana, the 22 trump cards that describe life's big lessons and turning points. In the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn's system, which shaped the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, it is attributed to the Hebrew letter Samekh and to Sagittarius, giving it the element of fire. In numerology, 14 reduces to 5, linking it with The Hierophant.
Advice from Temperance
Find the middle path and take your time. Balance is built through small, steady adjustments.
Example reading
Illustrative example
A couple arguing about money draws Temperance. The card suggests a middle ground: a shared budget that leaves each person a personal amount to spend freely. The reading focuses on patience and compromise.
This example is written by our editors to show how the card is read in context. It is not a real client's reading. See our tarot spreads for how positions change a card's meaning.
Related cards
Dream symbols linked to this card
Bridge. Our dream dictionary explains how the same symbolism appears in dreams.
Ask the cards about your situation
Draw three cards for your own question. Every card in your result links back to its meaning here.
Free tarot readingCard of the dayFrequently asked questions
What does Temperance mean in tarot?
Upright, Temperance means balance, moderation, patience, healing. Temperance is the card of balance, moderation and healing.
What does Temperance reversed mean?
Reversed, Temperance shows imbalance and excess: overworking, overspending, overreacting or swinging between extremes. It can also indicate impatience or a conflict where neither side is willing to compromise.
What does Temperance mean in love?
In love, Temperance brings harmony, compromise and emotional healing. It favours relationships where both partners adapt to each other. For singles, it suggests a calm, balanced connection rather than a whirlwind. Reversed in love, the card can indicate imbalance, clashing priorities or one partner giving much more than the other.
Is Temperance a yes or no card?
Temperance is a yes, but a patient one. Things will work out if you allow them to develop gradually.
What does Temperance mean for healing?
It is often read as a sign of recovery and restored balance, emotionally and in daily life. For anything medical, it should be seen as encouragement to follow professional care, not a substitute for it.