LexTalk

Have you ever been so busy trying to build the life you want…

that you forgot to actually ENJOY the life you’re living?

Ouch.

Welcome back to LexTalk Tarot: One Card at a Time!

We’re officially on Card #18 of my journey through all 78 tarot cards, and apparently tarot has decided that after yesterday’s Seven of Cups called me out for having too many ideas…

today we’re going to discuss what happens when I actually try to DO all those ideas.

Because today’s card is…

TEMPERANCE — XIV

And if you’re someone who wants to:

Work.

Create.

Build something.

Spend time with family.

Make money.

Travel.

Learn things.

Have hobbies.

Take care of everyone.

Take care of yourself.

Maintain relationships.

Keep the house functioning.

And somehow find time to RELAX…

Hello.

This one’s for us.

Temperance is traditionally associated with balance, patience, moderation, harmony, healing, and integration.

But what I already love about this card is that balance doesn’t necessarily mean:

DO LESS.

Sometimes it means:

Find a way to do what matters without completely draining yourself in the process.

And THAT is something I definitely want to explore.

So grab your tarot deck.

Grab your coffee.

And let’s learn Temperance.

Meet Temperance

Card: Temperance

Arcana: Major Arcana

Number: XIV — 14

Traditional Astrological Association: Sagittarius

Core Themes: Balance, moderation, patience, harmony, healing, integration, cooperation, and finding your rhythm

Temperance is one of those tarot cards where the artwork tells us SO much.

In the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith imagery, we see a beautiful winged angel standing between two worlds.

One foot rests on land.

One foot rests in water.

The angel holds two cups and appears to pour liquid back and forth between them.

There’s a pathway in the background.

Flowers.

Mountains.

A glowing light.

And even a tiny symbol on the angel’s clothing that we’ll talk about in a minute.

There is SO MUCH going on here.

But for my beginner tarot brain?

I’m remembering Temperance like this:

Temperance = Finding your balance without losing your magic.

That’s it.

Now let’s figure out WHY.

Let’s Study the Temperance Card

This is exactly why I’m loving learning tarot with the physical cards.

If someone simply told me:

Temperance = balance.

Okay.

Cool.

I’d probably forget that in five minutes.

But when I actually look at what’s happening in the artwork?

Suddenly the meaning starts making sense.

The Angel

Obviously, the angel immediately grabs our attention.

The figure is traditionally interpreted as representing guidance, harmony, healing, and the blending of different energies.

The angel stands calmly in the center of the card.

There’s no chaos.

No rushing.

No dramatic battle.

No frantic energy.

Everything feels…

controlled.

Intentional.

Peaceful.

And I think that’s important.

Temperance isn’t necessarily asking us to stop moving.

It’s asking us to move with more intention.

Angel = Harmony, guidance, and integration.

The Two Cups

This might be my favorite symbol on the entire card.

The angel holds two cups and pours liquid between them.

Back and forth.

Blending.

Adjusting.

Combining.

And THAT is Temperance.

Think about making a recipe.

Or a potion, because obviously that’s more fun.

Imagine dumping an entire bottle of one ingredient into your cauldron.

Then one tiny drop of everything else.

Technically, all the ingredients are there…

but the balance is completely wrong.

Temperance is about finding the mixture that works.

And life can be the same way.

Work matters.

Family matters.

Goals matter.

Rest matters.

Relationships matter.

Money matters.

Creativity matters.

Fun matters.

But when ONE thing consumes everything else?

Eventually something starts feeling off.

Two Cups = Blending, adjustment, and finding the right mixture.

One Foot in the Water

Look closely at the angel’s feet.

One is in the water.

Water in tarot is commonly associated with:

Emotions • Intuition • The subconscious • Inner experiences

So we have one foot connected to our emotional world.

Our feelings matter.

Our intuition matters.

What something FEELS like matters.

But…

there’s another foot.

One Foot on Land

The angel’s other foot rests on solid ground.

Land can represent:

Reality • Practicality • Stability • The physical world

And THIS might be the easiest way for me to remember Temperance.

One foot in emotion.

One foot in reality.

We don’t have to ignore our emotions to make practical decisions.

And we don’t have to abandon logic to trust our intuition.

We can use BOTH.

That’s balance.

+ Water and Land = Emotion and reality working together.

I LOVE that.

The Irises

There are flowers growing near the water, commonly identified as irises.

Iris is also the name of the Greek goddess associated with the rainbow and communication between the divine and human worlds.

That adds another beautiful layer to a card already centered around connecting different things.

Heaven and earth.

Emotion and logic.

Rest and productivity.

Dreams and reality.

Two things don’t always have to compete.

Sometimes they can work together.

Irises = Connection, communication, and harmony between different worlds.

The Path

In the background, there’s a path leading toward the mountains.

And I LOVE path symbolism in tarot.

Because the path doesn’t teleport us to the destination.

We have to WALK IT.

One step.

Then another.

Then another.

That feels especially appropriate for Temperance.

Progress doesn’t always happen quickly.

Sometimes we’re so focused on reaching the destination that we forget we’re already moving toward it.

Path = Progress, growth, and the journey ahead.

The Light in the Distance

At the end of the path, we see a glowing light or crown-like shape near the horizon.

This is often interpreted as illumination, higher understanding, or the goal toward which the journey is leading.

And again…

it’s in the DISTANCE.

We’re not there yet.

And that’s okay.

Light = Hope, purpose, and greater understanding ahead.

The Triangle and Square

Look at the angel’s clothing.

There’s a triangle inside a square.

This symbol is often interpreted as representing the relationship between spirit and matter.

Basically:

Our inner world.

And our physical reality.

Once again…

two different things existing together.

Temperance REALLY wants us to understand this concept.

Triangle + Square = Bringing the spiritual and physical together.

Temperance Upright Meaning

When Temperance appears upright, common interpretations include:

Balance • Patience • Moderation • Harmony • Healing • Cooperation • Integration • Finding your rhythm

And I think one of the biggest lessons here is:

Balance does NOT mean perfection.

Because when people talk about balance, sometimes it sounds like we’re supposed to perfectly divide our lives.

Eight hours working.

Two hours family.

One hour exercise.

One hour creativity.

Thirty minutes meditation.

Drink eight glasses of water.

Sleep eight hours.

Meal prep.

Journal.

Stretch.

Read.

Clean.

And somehow have glowing skin.

NO.

That’s not what I’m taking from Temperance.

Balance can CHANGE.

Some days work needs more attention.

Some days family does.

Some days we’re inspired and want to create for hours.

And some days?

We need to sit on the couch and do absolutely NOTHING productive.

Balance isn’t necessarily giving everything equal time.

It’s recognizing when something is becoming unsustainable.

Upright Message:

You don’t have to rush something meaningful for it to be progressing.

Temperance Reversed Meaning

You already know the LexTalk rule!

REVERSED DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN BAD.

Temperance reversed can traditionally connect with:

Imbalance • Excess • Impatience • Overextension • Burnout • Lack of harmony • Difficulty finding moderation

And sometimes this card feels like the dashboard warning light coming on.

It doesn’t necessarily mean:

EVERYTHING IS FALLING APART!

It might simply mean:

Hey.

Something needs adjusting.

Maybe work has consumed everything.

Maybe we’re saying yes to too many people.

Maybe we’re spending too much.

Maybe we’re not resting.

Maybe we’re expecting something to happen faster than realistically possible.

Maybe we’re trying to force progress.

Sometimes the solution isn’t completely changing our lives.

Sometimes we just need to recalibrate.

Reversed Message:

Something may need adjusting, but that doesn’t mean everything needs to change.

Temperance in Love & Relationships

Okay…

Let’s talk LOVE.

Temperance can be such an interesting relationship card because relationships themselves require balance.

Two people.

Two personalities.

Two histories.

Two sets of needs.

Two opinions about where the thermostat should be set.

Somehow we’re supposed to combine all of that into one functioning relationship.

No wonder communication matters.

Temperance Upright in Love

Upright themes can include:

Patience • Cooperation • Compromise • Healthy communication • Emotional balance • Understanding differences

This card can encourage partners to work WITH each other rather than against each other.

And compromise doesn’t mean one person always giving in.

Healthy balance should allow both people to have needs.

Both people to communicate.

Both people to adjust sometimes.

Relationship Message:

A healthy relationship shouldn’t require one person to constantly shrink so the other person can stay comfortable.

That’s not balance.

Temperance Reversed in Love

Reversed, Temperance can highlight:

Miscommunication • Impatience • Unequal effort • Emotional imbalance • Difficulty compromising • Unresolved tension

Maybe one person feels like they’re carrying more.

Maybe you’re talking but not really hearing each other.

Maybe something needs to be discussed before resentment builds.

It doesn’t automatically predict a breakup.

It doesn’t guarantee reconciliation.

It’s simply inviting reflection.

Relationship Reflection:

Are we working together to create balance—or expecting one person to do all the adjusting?

Temperance in Career

Okay, overachievers.

Come sit down.

Temperance in career can connect with:

Steady progress • Teamwork • Cooperation • Patience • Sustainable growth • Work-life balance

And I think this is such an important card for anyone trying to build something.

Because when we REALLY want something…

we want it NOW.

We want the business to grow.

We want the promotion.

We want the audience.

We want the money.

We want the opportunity.

We want proof that all the work we’re doing is actually WORKING.

And when results aren’t immediate?

We think:

Maybe I need to work harder.

So we do more.

And more.

And more.

Until eventually we’re exhausted.

Temperance asks:

What if faster isn’t always better?

Temperance Reversed in Career

Reversed career themes might include:

Burnout • Overcommitment • Competing responsibilities • Impatience • Unrealistic workloads • Lack of cooperation

And here’s something I think matters:

Working yourself into the ground doesn’t prove how badly you want something.

Rest isn’t laziness.

And taking a break doesn’t erase the work you’ve already done.

Sometimes slowing down actually helps us keep going longer.

Career Reflection:

Am I building something sustainable—or exhausting myself trying to make it happen faster?

Temperance & Money

Financially, Temperance fits beautifully with the idea of moderation.

It can encourage reflection around:

Budgeting • Balance • Thoughtful spending • Saving • Long-term planning • Avoiding extremes

And moderation doesn’t necessarily mean:

NEVER BUY ANYTHING FUN AGAIN.

Because what’s the point of working if we’re never allowed to enjoy anything?

Instead, it can be about balancing:

What we need.

What we want.

What we’re saving for.

And what we can realistically afford.

Money Reflection:

Am I making financial choices that balance today’s needs with what future me wants?

Life Is Kind of a Potion

Okay.

This is officially how I’m going to remember Temperance forever.

Life is basically one giant potion.

We have all these ingredients.

Work.

Family.

Relationships.

Money.

Rest.

Hobbies.

Creativity.

Responsibilities.

Health.

Fun.

Goals.

And every person’s recipe is different.

Someone else’s perfect balance might be completely wrong for you.

Maybe you LOVE being busy.

Maybe someone else needs lots of quiet time.

Maybe you’re happiest juggling multiple projects.

Maybe someone else needs one focus.

Temperance isn’t giving us a universal recipe.

It’s asking:

What’s YOUR mixture?

Because that’s what matters.

Balance Doesn’t Mean 50/50

This is probably my favorite lesson from today’s card.

Balance doesn’t necessarily mean everything is perfectly equal.

Life doesn’t work like that.

Sometimes it’s 80/20.

Sometimes it’s 60/40.

Sometimes one part of life needs almost everything we’ve got for a little while.

The important question is:

Is this temporary—or has this become my normal?

Because there’s a difference between:

“This week is crazy.”

and

“I’ve been completely overwhelmed for six months.”

Temperance asks us to notice.

And adjust.

Patience Is Part of the Process

Ugh.

PATIENCE.

Can we skip this part?

Unfortunately…

no.

Temperance is also associated with patience.

And I think that’s especially difficult when we’re working toward something we REALLY want.

We want results.

We want evidence.

We want reassurance.

We want someone to tell us:

YES. KEEP GOING. THIS WILL DEFINITELY WORK.

But life doesn’t always give us that.

Sometimes we have to keep moving without knowing exactly how everything turns out.

And Temperance reminds us:

Slow progress is still progress.

Today’s LexTalk Tarot Journal Prompt

Grab your tarot journal!

Today’s main question is:

Where in my life am I pushing too hard, and what would a healthier balance actually look like?

And here’s another one I REALLY like:

Am I allowing myself to enjoy the process—or am I so focused on reaching the next goal that I’m missing everything happening along the way?

A few more questions to explore:

What part of my life currently receives most of my energy?

What part isn’t receiving enough?

Where am I being impatient?

What am I trying to force?

What would sustainable progress look like for me?

What could I adjust instead of completely changing?

And finally:

What does balance actually mean to ME?

Not Instagram.

Not productivity gurus.

Not somebody else’s routine.

YOU.

The Tarot Deck I’m Learning With

Temperance is another perfect example of why I’m enjoying learning tarot with the actual artwork instead of simply memorizing definitions.

Instead of:

Temperance = Balance.

I can look at the card and remember:

Angel = Harmony

Two Cups = Blending

Water = Emotion

Land = Reality

Path = Progress

Light = Purpose

And suddenly the card makes sense.

Throughout LexTalk Tarot, I’m using a physical Rider-Waite-Smith style tarot deck because I want to study the traditional symbolism while working through all 78 cards.

If you’d like to learn alongside me using the same style of deck, you can [check out the tarot deck I’m using here — paid link].

You absolutely don’t need my exact deck to follow along. I’m simply sharing what I’m personally using throughout this journey.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Learning Tarot With a Journal

I’m also keeping notes while I work through these cards because writing down my own memory tricks makes everything SO much easier to remember.

And today’s is definitely going in there:

Temperance = Finding your balance without losing your magic.

If you’re learning tarot alongside me, any notebook works perfectly.

But if you’d like a dedicated place for tarot meanings, symbolism, personal interpretations, and reflection prompts, you can [check out the tarot journal I recommend here — paid link].

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

How I’m Remembering Temperance

Beginner tarot friends…

Don’t memorize this entire blog.

Here’s today’s cheat sheet:

TEMPERANCE — XIV

Core Meaning: Balance and moderation

Upright: Patience, harmony, moderation, cooperation, integration

Reversed: Imbalance, excess, impatience, overextension

Angel: Harmony and guidance

Two Cups: Blending and adjustment

Water: Emotions and intuition

Land: Reality and practicality

Path: Progress and growth

Light: Purpose and understanding

And our main memory trick:

Temperance = Finding your balance without losing your magic.

Done.

Eighteen Cards Into LexTalk Tarot!

We’re officially 18 cards into our 78-card journey!

And I think Temperance came at the PERFECT time after the Seven of Cups.

Yesterday:

Seven of Cups: You have too many possibilities. Choose what deserves your energy.

Today:

Temperance: Great. Now don’t give it so much energy that you completely exhaust yourself.

Tarot apparently has jokes.

But I LOVE how these lessons are starting to connect.

One card at a time.

One symbol at a time.

One little memory trick at a time.

We’re learning!

One Last LexTalk Thought

I think Temperance is a beautiful reminder that we don’t have to choose between being ambitious… and being peaceful.

We can be both.

We can want more.

We can build things.

We can dream ridiculously big dreams.

We can work hard.

We can challenge ourselves.

We can keep growing.

And we can ALSO rest.

We can close the laptop.

Put down the phone.

Take the walk.

Watch the movie.

Spend time with people we love.

Sit quietly.

Do absolutely nothing productive.

Because rest doesn’t mean we’ve stopped caring about our goals.

Sometimes rest is what allows us to continue pursuing them.

And maybe balance isn’t something we achieve once and magically keep forever.

Maybe balance is something we’re constantly adjusting.

A little more here.

A little less there.

Just like the angel moving water between those two cups.

Back.

And forth.

Until the mixture feels right.

And when life changes?

We adjust again.

That’s not failure.

That’s life.

So, today’s reminder isn’t:

DO LESS.

It’s:

Pay attention to what your life needs.

Maybe you need to work harder toward something you’ve been avoiding.

Maybe you need to slow down.

Maybe you need boundaries.

Maybe you need more fun.

Maybe you need more structure.

Maybe you need one completely lazy Saturday with absolutely NO guilt attached.

Whatever your mixture looks like…

it doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

You get to figure out what works for you.

Temperance = Finding your balance without losing your magic.

One card. One lesson. One little bit of magic at a time.

— Lex

Tarot interpretations are subjective and are shared here for personal reflection, education, and entertainment. Tarot should not replace professional medical, legal, mental health, or financial advice.