“What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter – soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.” Henri Matisse 

We have often been told, “All things in moderation.” A reminder to enjoy the bounty around us without the folly of excess. Overall, it is very good advice we should certainly endeavor to heed in our daily lives. Of course, some days are more moderate than others – not to worry, there is always tomorrow. In fact, tomorrow is the great gift of Temperance.

I would like to dismiss the idea of Temperance as disdain, restriction, or abstinence. Carrie Nation is not welcome here and need not apply. (Don’t know Carrie? Check her out at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_Nation).

It is important to understand our humanity is the combination of elements, virtues and vices experiencing material existence through our daily lives. This is the true nature of Temperance; opposing forces integrated, balanced, harnessed, weld, and wielded. Each day is a new opportunity to practice our internal balance, to try again.

I hear your eager voices:

• “I’m always dieting.”
• “I never drink too much.”
• “I gave up smoking.”
• “I don’t sleep around.”

I am sure you believe those are marks of Temperance. I am sure you were taught Temperance is the same as self-denial. Both are false. Temperance does not require you deny your own nature or your own pleasure. Temperance offers pathways and opportunities to master your own inner- (and consequently outer-) self. Let us consider the eager voices.

“I’m always dieting.” To begin, the very idea begins with d-i-e. We all know the importance of healthy and balanced nutrition but is that necessarily the same as self-denial? Despite all appearances, the answer is a resounding, “NO.”

“I never drink too much.” By the very nature of “too much,” you are already practicing mindfulness (which is awesome!) but are you also practicing resentment? Are you righteous in your behavior while scorning others for their own lack of virtue? This is not Temperance, it is Obnoxious – cut it out!

“I gave up smoking.” By this time, we all know smoking is bad news and we can all say “Thank you for not smoking!” with sincerity.

“I don’t sleep around.” Ask yourself “Why?” Because you have a sense of self-value that includes a certain amount of preservation of intimacy, or because someone told you it was a “sin?” The first is a personal mindfulness (again, yippee!) but the second option indicates you allowed outside forces (teachers, churches, etc) to dictate your use of your own body. Also, not Temperance.

In absolute terms, Temperance is a total mindfulness that creates not only internal balance but also a comfort and harmony within ourselves that can then be spread without. It is a perfection of the self within its place in the The Universe.

If only we were not quite so human. Living Tarot is not about perfecting the archetype within ourselves but rather identifying and drawing from what already exists. With that in mind, the very real goal of Temperance is little more than complete comfort with your own self.

Mileage may vary.

((All images courtesy of Google Images.))