Temperance as Past (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

Temperance is the card of moderation, balance, harmony, and patience. An angel stands, with one foot in the water and the other foot firmly planted on land. The angel pours water between two cups, symbolizing the flow and alchemy of life. 

Temperance reminds us that we must avoid going to extremes. We are often best-served by taking a moderate, patient, and balanced view towards life. Temperance reminds us that caution, prudence, and thoughtfulness have their place. They can often bring more reward in the long-term than a passionate outburst based only on a whim. To maintain harmonious relationships, working together to find compromise is often necessary. 

Upright Temperance as Past

If you are asking about the past, and you draw Temperance, it means that there was a period of balance and harmony, where patience and moderation were practiced. This phase might have brought tranquility and a sense of well-being as you approached situations with a calm and balanced demeanor, nurturing positive outcomes. It indicates a fruitful time where understanding and mutual respect played significant roles in your interactions with others, fostering environments of peace and cooperation.

Temperance as the past can represent a time of healing and successful integration of different aspects of your life, creating a harmonious balance. This suggests a period where you managed to blend diverse elements in your life skillfully, fostering a holistic well-being. It was a time where reconciliation of different perspectives and perhaps healing old wounds took center stage, aiding in personal growth and fostering peace in your surroundings.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, Temperance in the past position means the relationship enjoyed a phase of harmony, where both parties worked well together, finding a peaceful balance in their dynamics. This period was characterized by mutual understanding and successful communication, where love and respect flowed freely between both individuals. It was a fruitful time where the relationship blossomed due to the nurturing environment created through balanced and harmonious interactions.

If you are asking about an ex, Temperance in the past position means there were moments in the relationship where both individuals found a harmonious balance, working through differences to find middle ground. Despite the challenges that might have existed, this card highlights the times when understanding and cooperation prevailed, creating spaces of love and shared growth. It points to a time where there was a genuine effort from both sides to understand each other, and to work through issues calmly and constructively.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, Temperance in the past position means the relationship has seen times of peaceful coexistence, where understanding and compromise were key elements. It brings to focus periods where a mutual respect and a willingness to understand each other’s viewpoints fostered harmony and strengthened the bond. This was a time of nurturing, healing, and the successful negotiation of differences through patience and empathy, enhancing the depth of the relationship.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, Temperance in the past position means there was a time when you successfully balanced various aspects of your career, possibly blending skills and resources effectively to create harmony in your work environment. This period witnessed a smooth flow of ideas and cooperation, which played a crucial role in achieving balanced and productive outcomes. It suggests a period of stability where your abilities to mediate and bring harmony were highlighted, paving the way for fruitful collaborations and personal growth in your career.

Reversed Temperance as Past

If you are asking about the past, and you draw Temperance reversed, it means that there was a period of imbalance, possibly characterized by impatience, excess, or lack of moderation. This phase might have seen you struggling to find a middle ground in various situations, leading to strained relationships and unfavorable circumstances. It was a challenging time where a lack of foresight and control might have led to actions and decisions that brought more chaos rather than harmony.

Temperance reversed as the past can represent a time of disharmony and disarray, where things felt out of balance and potentially chaotic. During this period, it could have been difficult to find stability as you navigated through turbulent waters, with circumstances seeming to spiral out of control. It was a time characterized by a lack of harmony in different aspects of your life, where maintaining a balanced approach to situations seemed almost impossible, thereby necessitating a re-evaluation of your strategies and approaches.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, Temperance reversed in the past position means the relationship might have experienced periods of imbalance, where the lack of compromise and understanding led to conflicts. This indicates that there were times when the dynamics between you and your partner were not in harmony, leading to a series of misunderstandings and disputes. It was a time when it seemed challenging to meet halfway, with persistent issues disrupting the peace and affecting the overall stability of the relationship.

If you are asking about an ex, Temperance reversed in the past position means the relationship had phases of excess and imbalance, potentially leading to issues that were hard to reconcile. This phase might have been marked by intense disagreements, with both parties unable to find common ground, thereby straining the relationship severely. It was a tumultuous period filled with heightened emotions and lack of moderation, which created a difficult environment for a healthy relationship to thrive.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, Temperance reversed in the past position means the relationship went through times of imbalance, possibly with misunderstandings and lack of effective communication exacerbating conflicts. It was a time when the relationship felt unsteady, with frequent disputes arising from a lack of understanding and patience. This card highlights a period of strain, where it became increasingly difficult to maintain a harmonious relationship, requiring conscious effort to steer towards balance and understanding.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, Temperance reversed in the past position means there were periods where imbalance reigned, potentially leading to stress and difficulties in managing responsibilities effectively. It suggests a time when your work life was marred by chaos, with possibly too many responsibilities piling up and a lack of clear direction exacerbating the situation. It was a stressful period, where finding a balanced approach to work and financial matters seemed like a challenging endeavor, with a necessity to regain control and establish harmony in your professional life.

Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, Temperance reveals the power of patience, compassion, and understanding. When we try to force relationships and people to go the way we want, it can often implode in our face. Temperance urges us to embrace patience, moderation, compromise, diplomacy, and the middle path. When we lean into these qualities, we build trust. Over time, trust solidifies into a rock-solid foundation for a great relationship. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.