XIV – Temperance

Temperance appears as the great angel of the Art, standing with one foot in water and one on land, pouring the essences of life between two vessels in the eternal circulation that blends and harmonizes all opposites. In the Western Mystery Tradition, this card represents the alchemical operation of Solve et Coagula—"dissolve and coagulate"—the continuous process by which consciousness refines itself through the mixture and separation of elements. Assigned the Hebrew letter Samekh (ס), meaning "prop" or "support," Temperance represents the spiritual support that allows the aspirant to continue the Great Work, the cosmic foundation upon which the transformation of the soul proceeds.

On the Tree of Life, Temperance traverses the twenty-fifth path connecting Tiphareth (Beauty) to Yesod (Foundation). This is the path of the tentative intelligence, the experimental consciousness that tries and tests, mixing and remixing the elements until the perfect balance is achieved. The path carries the integrated light of the Higher Self down into the astral plane, the realm of images and dreams, where it must be properly grounded. The rainbow pathway rising in the distance represents the promise of this successful integration—the spectrum of light that appears when the mist of the unconscious is illuminated by solar consciousness. The irises growing at the angel's feet are sacred to Iris, the rainbow goddess and messenger between worlds.

Under the influence of Sagittarius and Jupiter, Temperance embodies the qualities of philosophical aspiration, the arrow of intent aimed at distant goals, and the expansion that comes through proper synthesis rather than mere accumulation. The angel is usually identified as Michael, the archangel of Fire and the Sun, yet here works with Water, demonstrating the reconciliation of opposites that is this card's essence. The triangle within a square upon the angel's breast represents spirit (3) manifesting harmoniously through matter (4). The path leading to the mountains crowned with the sun represents the long road of initiation that lies ahead—Temperance marks the middle of the journey, not its end. In readings, Temperance counsels patience, moderation, and the blending of seemingly incompatible elements. It announces that alchemy is at work in your life—disparate factors are being combined into something new and valuable, but the process cannot be rushed.