We are at card #14 on our Hero's journey.  After dealing with DEATH in the last card, and having survived, and been transformed, we are now ready to meet with TEMPERENCE.

TEMPERENCE is one of those cards that can be difficult to interpret.  The traditional understanding of TEMPERENCE is that of moderation, balance, and not going to extremes in either direction.

The way I have come to understand Temperence, is having one foot in this world, one foot in the unseen.  We come into the world with an idealistic view of life, and as we get further down our path, we are molded and shaped to some degree by outer circumstances.  

We may feel disappointment at the loss of our ideals, but we must comprimise with the outer world to some degree in order to survive, and thus, we are tempered.

Another way of looking at the Temperence card is alchemy.  The fusion of two opposites (Fire and Water), coming together and forming a new substance, something stronger and more powerful.

Reaching a state of TEMPERENCE implies inner peace, zen...because we are not resisting and fighting the outer conditions.  We have made peace with the outer world, we have made peace with who we have become, and the versions of ourselves that we have had to let go of, in order to reach TEMPERENCE.  

It is a very positive card, because it means that we are in a state of balance and flow when we reach this point, even though it has taken alot of frustration and surrender to get there.  

When we arrive at this flowing zen state (and it's not a static or permanent state usually, it's a phase that we are in when we feel we are at our peak)...things happen really easily.  We transcend pain and suffering to some degree, and we feel blissful.

TEMPERENCE should be enjoyed and relished, a clear mind full of peace will be crucial when we meet with the next archetype on our journey.... THE DEVIL.... stay tuned, he's coming right around the bend!