Art (XIV)

Meanings according to Rider-Waite:

ASTROLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Venus as a symbol of harmony and balance.

TEMPERANCE The meaning of the Temperance card becomes clearer if we translate it as "True Measure." It forms the positive counterpart to the Arcanum that follows it, the Devil, which symbolizes intemperance. "Temperance" is characterized by such qualities as harmony, balance, freedom from malice, and peace of mind. This card corresponds to that happy state in which a person feels at ease, loves themselves, and is therefore in harmonious equilibrium with the surrounding world. If the question concerns health, whether mental or physical, Temperance signifies well-being or recovery.

From the book: Hajo Banzhaf. THE TAROT HANDBOOK. Translated from German by E. Kolesov. Publisher: Center for Astrological Research, 1999.

14 - TEMPERANCE Sagittarius The fourteenth card of the MAJOR ARCANA is called TEMPERANCE (also known as ART), and it depicts an Angel holding two CUPS, the contents of which are continually poured from one cup into the other, for the upper vessel, once filled, changes places with the lower one. Thus life flows from the visible into the invisible and back again. The Sun (or beam of light) on the angel's brow governs the flow of water, which, having been drawn up into the air by the sun's rays, returns to the earth as rain, only to be drawn up once more, and so on to infinity. The interpretation of this card is connected with the form of the circle, which symbolizes a continuous self-contained creative process leading to the transformation of the world and the redistribution within it of resources in their new quality. On the traditional TAROT card, a maiden is usually depicted pouring water from one urn into another (the constant flow of life-forces in nature and the necessity for Life of the blending of the elements). This ARCANUM corresponds astrologically to the sign of Sagittarius, which affirms a lofty worldview in the world, and to the concept of human genius that drives progress. Sagittarius, as the conductor of the Heavenly will to the Earth, reveals the idea of evolution (the descending movement of development): it is the path of the idea toward earthly reality. The meaning of this ARCANUM links together the Sun and the Moon (the masculine and feminine, conscious and unconscious spheres) — the clear daytime reason of the Sun and the lyrical emotions of the Moon. The interaction of these luminaries serves as the foundation for the "descent" of the idea into the world. On the TAROT card this idea is symbolized by two cups — golden and silver: the stream from the first pours into the second. The gold of the Sun, representing the spirit, is transformed into the silver of the Moon, embodying the soul. The idea passes from the spiritual sphere into the soul, and the flow of emotions furthers the further embodiment of thought. Since Sagittarius is a rational sign, it can also be likened to that circle of mental knowledge which the Magus draws around himself to ward off the evil forces of those entities he summons through his psychic activity and communication with which is fraught with surprises. This ARCANUM affirms the steadiness of consciousness against any outside influences. It is characterized by purposefulness, harmony, proportion, and the renewal of spiritual and physical forces. "TEMPERANCE" is the path of the stoic. "Moderation and orderliness" — this motto best characterizes the person who follows the path of the Fourteenth ARCANUM. "Bind and separate — forge new connections from what was once divided." That which was once a single whole, having been divided, forever preserves the memory of unity. Negative aspects: excess, a tendency to fragment a process to an excessive degree or, conversely, to join together what cannot be joined, to take on too many matters at once. Astrologically, the card "TEMPERANCE" may be associated with the signs Sagittarius and Virgo, the planets Mercury and Proserpina, as well as the Sixth House.

Upright position the card signifies the renewal of spiritual and physical forces. The proper manner of thinking — adaptation to the existing situation, humility, calmness, equilibrium in affairs and in one's views on life. Sometimes "TEMPERANCE" (if the card falls after a bad one) signifies victory over the vicissitudes of fate, the making of expedient decisions, and entering upon the path of right action.

Reversed position the card speaks of mistaken views on life and a wrong approach to people. Excessive emotionality, irascibility, abrupt changes of mood (like the weather in the mountains), unwise and unpredictable actions. The reversed position may also signal that you should not undertake so many matters at once, or, on the contrary — that you must strive to unite all your affairs and pursuits into a single whole.

"Test and measure your strength, not in order to retreat before the task, but in order to overcome the obstacles." Papus