I quite like drawing a card of the day, and then putting it below my laptop, on my desk so I can glance at it from time to time and learn its symbols.
I am a fan of the RWS deck, but I really like the imagery of the Astromatrix deck, so I have them two next to each other, the same card.
My card of the day today is Temperance, and as a word buff of course I want to mention the etymology of the word:
The word Temperance comes from the Latin "temperantia", meaning moderation, self-control, or restraint.
Breaking it down:
"Temperare" (Latin verb) - to mix properly, to regulate, to moderate.
Originally, it referred to blending things in the right proportion, like mixing drinks, balancing hot and cold, or adjusting a musical instrument to the right pitch.
"Temperantia" (noun form) - moderation, sobriety, discretion.
It became a central concept in Roman philosophy, especially in Stoicism and later Christian ethics, where temperance was seen as one of the four cardinal virtues (along with justice, prudence, and courage).
The root idea of temperance is not about denial or repression, it is about the art of blending life’s ingredients in just the right measure.
Or, if you prefer the cocktail version:
Temperance is not about drinking nothing, it is about knowing when to stop pouring.
Keywords: Balance. Patience. Harmony. Mixing just the right cocktail of chaos and calm.
Picture an angel calmly pouring water between two cups.
Not spilling a drop. Not rushing. Not hesitating.
This is Temperance.
The card that whispers: “Stop forcing. Start blending.”
Symbols to Notice:
The Two Cups – Not just mixing liquids, but blending opposites: emotion & reason, action & rest, gin & tonic (well, maybe metaphorically).
One Foot in the Water, One on Land – You are living both in reality and in possibility. Grounded dreamers unite.
The Path to the Golden Crown – Yep, there’s a reward ahead, but you get there by staying cool, not by sprinting.
What Does Temperance Predict?
Think of this card as a cosmic bartender:
Shaking, not stirring? Temperance says try stirring this time.
Trying to control outcomes? Temperance says trust the process.
Panicking about timing? Temperance says good things take time—chill.
Temperance in Real Life:
Love & Relationships
Single? Don’t rush into the next Tinder catastrophe. Wait for the right connection, not just any connection.
In a relationship? This is about teamwork, patience, and learning to blend differences without trying to "fix" the other person.
Career & Work
You are in integration mode. Combine your skills, learn from others, and collaborate. This isn’t the time for extremes like quitting your job on a Tuesday afternoon because your coffee was cold.
Finances
Moderation is key. Neither hoard nor splurge. Think long-term balance, like investing slowly over time rather than chasing crypto FOMO at 2 a.m.
Home & Personal Life
Create environments that soothe rather than stimulate. This card literally invites you to make your life less dramatic.
Think: soft lighting, calm conversations, and knowing when to close your laptop.
Temperance says: Life is not about either/or. It is about both/and.
Patience is not passive, it is active balance.
Patientia vincit omnia. - Patience conquers all.