The Temperance Card in Tarot

Major Arcana Temperance is known as the Sagittarius Card, representing patience, moderation, calmness, perspective, peace, harmony and ease. The angel depicted passes water from one goblet to another and has one foot in the water and one on the earth so balance is a key to interpreting this card in readings, I feel, and exactly that kind of balance wherein one feels that their emotions – water – are at ease and grounded – earth. This represents an idealized, highest octave of the Sagittarius archetype and might be met by many Sagittarius themselves with at least some sense or irony not being known for either our patience, calmness or moderation.

I believe this also speaks to the well lauded luck of the Sagittarius and to the fact that it is a karmically favored energy and most pointedly that more so than many Sagittarius may understand, this is the energy of being strongly supported by our angels. I feel this strongly myself now more than ever for they are so close to me now that I can feel sometimes when I am quiet the fluttering of their wings soft as a moth´s wings fanning a stone.

Also, to the word Temperance and again in terms of interpretation in readings, I think of the definition of “Temperance” particularly of a sword in its raw form being tempered into hardened steel in the flames of a very hot fire and to the fact that Sagittarius learn and grow best through a process of trial and error, of exploration and effort – by doing.

The Temperance when and if it comes, comes from a series of failures and often painful difficulties but when it does come, it does not come to coo and sit but comes with work to do for this is the ultimate reward to the Sagittarius soul for all its self generated trials and tribulations to share the hard won lessons and show the scars of these adventures to those who may have need to hear it for also this Sagittarius energy at its highest octave is, The Guru.