
typical
symbols of the
TEMPERANCE card
- Crown
- at the end of the path, representing mastery
and attainment.
- Cups -
he pours the essence of life from the silver cup
of the subconscious to the gold cup of the
conscious. From the seen, to the unseen, and
back again. The entry of spirit into matter and
the influence of matter on spirit. The flowing
of the past, into the present, into the future.
- Feet
- one rests on land, the other in water, to be
equally comfortable in the conscious or subconscious.
- Iris
- this flower represents Iris, the Greek goddess
of the rainbow. Iris flowers are also sacred to
the sun.
- Michael
- the archangel, he is related to fire and the
sun.
Note the solar
disc upon his head.
- Red Wings - the archangel Michael is
also represented with red wings on the Lovers and Judgment cards.
- Square - on the breast of the angel
represents physical reality.
- Triangle of Spirit - points upward,
from within the square. The two together add up
to seven.
- Twin Mountains
- similar to the twin towers, path and rising sun on the Death card. It probably represents the same mystical journey. Temperance lies on the central path of the Tree of Life in the Golden Dawn system, so the goal, KETHER = the Crown, is represented here.
- Water - in a pool, the subconscious of
man and the universe.
|
Textbook
of the Tarot by Janet Berres of the International
Tarot Society
A Complete Guide to the Tarot by Eden Gray
Sources of the Waite/Smith Tarot Symbols
info
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