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| by Fuzzypeg/Wikimedia Commons |
While navigating
the landscape of the less desirable within the Major Arcana of the Tarot, The
Fool has encountered a challenge requiring Strength, has been hung out to dry
as the Hanged Man, and has recently undergone the transformation of Death. Now
a light beckons. A peaceful landscape, a serene pool and a divine winged figure
present what will perhaps be a relief after all. The Temperance card promises
calm, tranquility and balance. It promises these things, but does not
automatically grant them. With Temperance, we must conquer the challenge of
patience and prudence. This is no easy task in a modern era in which most would
rather be scraped from head to toe with straight razors than have to wait for
delayed gratification. The Temperance card reminds us of the need to cultivate
patience. The right combination will be found, success will be had, and
accomplishments will be achieved. Just not right now.
Death brings a
transformation and sometimes painful losses. Temperance brings a challenge to
the soul as well - that of a gradual emergence into relief. The Fool would love
to tear through the kitchen throwing ingredients into a skillet to whip
together an impromptu stir fry which just might be tasty. Zest for life and
enthusiasm pulling the reigns, caution and reason nowhere to be found.
Temperance on the other hand, carefully hand picks the finest quality foods,
carefully combining one at a time into a slow cooker, allowing the aroma to
waft through the air. Dinner will be served - eventually. Luckily we know that
with Temperance, our reward will be worth the wait. Now as for the whole
waiting thing….
Temperance
challenges us to delay spontaneous reactions. We must re-examine our motives,
and strive for balance. If we are used to acting in complete control and flying
solo, we are now faced with the need to share, to admit that we have not
perfected every skill and to find the blend of talents, resources, strengths
and capabilities to bring about a more ideal combination. Esoterically speaking
it is a card of Alchemy, purification through combining the right increments of
the right elements. This requires a knowledge that spans beyond the comfort
zone and allows for gradual exposure to ideas or skills that may be foreign or
new. Compromise, combination, pulling creative forces together, this is the
nature of Temperance. There is no dash to the finish line here.
This card suggests
processes involved that contribute to a whole. Assembly, separate skills
brought together for a common good, specialization and cooperation and harmony
and contribution as part of a team rather than for individual gains. When this
card appears it is a reminder that as good as you are at your trade or niche,
it is by combining talents with others of equal skill in complimenting areas
that completion is found. You may be required to exercise patience while
working as a team or coordinating or collaborating on a project over which you
do not have complete control. It is a card of acceptance, surrendering,
cooperation and moderation of efforts. It is also a card of creative energy,
bringing the best of your abilities to the fore, combined with the best
resources in your surroundings, including other people, and bringing together
various facets to find completion, refinement and achievement. Just as the
Magician earlier in this process granted the lesson of wielding one’s thoughts
to manifest in reality, Temperance raises this lesson an octave. It is not just
the refinement of one’s thoughts and restraint of one’s reactions that
cultivates success, but the discipline of one’s own mind and collaboration of
skills with others to serve a common good.
Article by: Angela
Kaufman. Angela is a Priestess for the Dragon Warriors of Isis Coven in
Upstate, New York, and the co-author of Wicca: What's the Real Deal?
She is a professional tarot reader. For more information about Wicca:
What's the Real Deal? visit http://www.wwtrd.webs.com.
