Temperance

Temperance is associated with the Kabbalistic letter Samekh and the zodiac sign Sagittarius. The Waite version of the card includes two key hints linking it to Samekh and Sagittarius:

Near the angel, irises are growing, symbolizing Iris, the goddess of the rainbow. In Hebrew, the word rainbow is related to the sign of Sagittarius, indicating the ancient Hebrew name for this sign, governed by the letter Samekh.

On the Tree of Life in Kabbalah, Arcanum XIV connects the ninth Sephirah (Luna) with the sixth Sephirah (Sol). The two cups in the angel's hands symbolize the Sun and the Moon, and the blue stream of water between them represents the path of Samekh, connecting these two Sephiroth.

The watery lake beneath the angel reflects the ninth Sephirah, while the sun disk on the angel's head signifies the sixth Sephirah. The path leading from the lake to the mountains symbolizes the path of Temperance, connecting the Moon and the Sun, and points to the first Sephirah, Keter (Crown).

The angel representing this path is Archangel Michael, corresponding to the sixth Sephirah of the Sun.

Temperance depicts Archangel Michael, who sends us trials and rewards, being a faithful helper of Christ.

It also symbolizes the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris, proclaiming the will of the gods, and Diana the Huntress, directing her bow toward the sky in pursuit of spiritual perfection.

This card represents that part of the angel which is present in each of us, capable, like a phoenix, of rising from the ashes and facing new trials.

The winged creature with a sun symbol on its forehead and the image of a square and triangle on its chest, symbolizing the number seven, has neither masculine nor feminine characteristics. This creature is depicted as pouring the essence of life from one chalice to another.

One foot stands firmly on the earth, while the other is in the water, illustrating the nature of these essences. The path ahead leads to hills on the horizon, where in the light, the outlines of a crown are hidden, concealing a part of the Mystery of Eternal Life accessible to humans.

Traditional symbols and meanings associated with the changing of seasons and the eternal movement of life are rejected. It is also incorrect to consider the figure as symbolizing a solar genius, although it serves as an analog of the solar light in our human existence.

It is called Temperance because it balances and harmonizes the mental and material nature of a person. Under its influence, we begin to understand where we came from and where we are heading.

The Temperance card embodies the image of the second Archangel in the Tarot deck, this time it is Michael, whose name means Like God or Resembling God.

This card symbolizes divine attributes that we acquire after the transformation indicated by the Death card, where all excess and unnecessary elements are removed from our being.

Under the sign of Sagittarius, symbolizing lofty ideals, religious, and spiritual aspirations, the Temperance card reflects the achievement of a new level of harmony and balance between the physical and spiritual realms.

This delicate balance is achieved through focused efforts in a particular direction, emphasized by the combination of the number 1 (loneliness, beginnings) and 4 (spiritual insight, the foundation of matter), together forming the number XIV (14).

Michael is depicted in white garments of virtue with a square and triangle, symbolizing the adept. Above the horizon, a bright golden sun is shining, and the blooming irises, named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow, remind us that as above, so below.