The Spectrum of Temperance: Navigating Grey Areas of Life

Photo Credit: Alina Vilchenko on Pexels

I spend every day in meditation as a way of connecting to my higher wisdom and looking for guidance. This has always proven to be very effective for me to gain perspective when I feel like I’m struggling. I have also taken up the practice of Tarot because I love the use of visuals to prompt connection with my higher self. I love the beautiful imagery and original art that many Oracle decks like Tarot Landscapes provide. It is a modern take on the traditional cards but I really appreciate the art present on each card. I haven’t talked about my personal practice of Tarot in my blog before, but when I recently pulled cards for myself and asked the question “what do I need to know today?”, the cards gave me inspiration to share what came to me.

Tarot to some is seen as occult, dark and ominous with fear around cards like Death (which means change) or The Hanged Man (which means seeing from a different perspective). The traditional Rider Waite deck, which was developed in 1909, drew upon various esoteric traditions and its illustrations can seem a bit jarring. The Tarot itself can be traced as far back as the 15th century in Italy but has evolved into a practice that combines art and divination and when you learn its meaning, it can actually be quite useful.

I personally use various oracle decks as a way to connect with my subconscious mind and tap into my own inner wisdom. How? The imagery, as well as the number symbolism and traditional card interpretation, along with the accompanying guide books, all lend ways to discover and inspire different messaging to comfort and guide me. The more I work with the cards, the more incredible it becomes when I receive the same messages in various cards within a reading or across a number of readings. Today, I pulled the Temperance card which inspired this article.

Traditional Temperance card from the Rider-Waite tarot deck

Traditionally the temperance card in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, signifies balance, moderation, and harmony. It encourages finding the middle ground, blending opposing forces, and practicing patience in all aspects of life. This is depicted both by the angel pouring liquid between two cups, and by having one foot in the water and one on land. On the left side, a path ascending towards the horizon suggests a journey and a sense of progress. The sun on the angel's forehead and the square and triangle on its breast are alchemical symbols representing divine influence and the union of earthly and spiritual principles.

The Tarot Landscapes deck I used aligns with the traditional tarot deck in that the Temperance card is still card #14, but the imagery by Yoshi Mari takes a slightly different context. The scene shows a wolf and a lamb both drinking from the same body of water. What I love about this scene is that is a modern take on finding the middle ground, as well as a deeper meaning where two ends of the same spectrum (predator and prey) exist in the same place, similar to how we all have light and shadow within.

Temperance card from Tarot Landscapes by Matteoni and Mari

Both animals represent opposing forces but it is even more clear that they co-exist within the same ecosystem and symbolize the progress that is possible when we slow down enough to acknowledge our own needs.  I also like that the number 14 reduces down to 5 (1+4=5) , which represents change where the digit 1 - meaning new beginnings - is supported by the digit 4 - meaning stability through balance. There are definitely new beginnings for me supported by finding balance in how I am approaching my new business.

This is life…not black and white, but full of grey. We navigate back and forth along the spectrum of light and shadow, influenced by the contrast we experience and choosing in each moment how to respond. Most recently I’ve been working through my shadow - those darker emotions that can be scary to face - looking for some sort of way to ease the ebb and flow. This card acts as confirmation that I’m hearing my intuition. It says “be patient and don’t judge where you are. Feel it, acknowledge it and refrain from judging it. Just focus on finding your center, your balance”.

That is the power of tarot for me, providing information that may not always be an answer to my question, but food for thought on the perspective I might choose to view my question. I can sit quietly to listen for an answer that comes through my intuition and through what I see in the art on the cards. It is a way to welcome in the gentle whispers of our soul that is always guiding us in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. The cards can introduce new ideas or confirm existing ones. Either way, it is a great tool for diving deeper into ourselves and supporting self-empowerment. The cards aren’t a truth or a prediction but rather a guide to walk beside us on our journey.

If you are interested in learning more, connect with me for a free consultation. For more information on the Tarot, check out my Tarot Infographic below and stay tuned for my free intro course on Tarot launching soon.

Connect with your intuition through Tarot infographic