When looking at new tarot decks, do you have a favorite card that you always check out first? I have several. One is Temperance. I love the Temperance card in the Witches Tarot, including Ellen’s comments.

The Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris, faces forward and stands at the edge of the water, her golden wings outstretched. Her sheer white gown has a golden triangle on the bodice, which signifies balance and creativity. Her gown flows softly around her, and one of Iris’s feet is on land while the other dips in the water. Neither on shore nor in the water, she is in an enchanted location where she is in both worlds–an in-between place.

In Iris’s hands are two different goblets, and she calmly pours water from one goblet into another. the water flows magickally out and about before ending up in the bottom goblet. There is an alchemical transformation taking place here; she is tempering the liquid in the goblets to find the right balance, or mixture. Behind Iris, the clouds have parted in the sky and a rainbow appears, representing hope, magick, and miracles. Around her on the green banks grow iris flowers in several different colors. The enchanting iris flowers symbolize “an eloquent message,” which suits the messenger goddess they were named after.

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Written by Barbara Moore
The tarot has been a part of Barbara Moore’s personal and professional lives for over a decade. In college, the tarot intrigued her with its marvelous blending of mythology, psychology, art, and history. Later, she served as the tarot specialist for Llewellyn Publications. Over the years, she has ...