The major arcana is a journey that begins with the Fool, a young innocent off on a big adventure. Every card represents something along the journey. When the Fool comes in contact with Temperance, he learns about moderation, but also about alchemy and the union of opposites.

In some tarot, the water is mixed with fire – as in this beautiful description of the Fool’s encounter with Temperance.

“”How can you mix fire and water?” the Fool finally whispers.
Never pausing the Angel answers, “You must have the right vessels and the right proportions.”
The Fool watches with wonder. “Can this be done with all opposites?” he asks.
“Indeed,” the Angel replies, “Any oppositions, fire and water, man and woman, thesis and anti-thesis, can be made to harmonize. It is only a lack of will, a disbelief in the possibility of unity, that keeps opposites, opposite.”
And that is when the Fool begins to understand that he is the one who is keeping his universe in twain, holding life/death, material world and spiritual world separate. In him, the two could merge, as in the vessels that the Angel uses to pour the elements, one to the other. All it takes, the Fool realizes, is the right proportions….and the right vessel.”
So temperance becomes the idea of seeking balance and union…
Just another way to look at it.

Much joy,
Kara-Leah

It’s always about habits, I’m starting to wonder if full days can be “automated”. I’m thinking will-power is the ignition and habit is the motor. If you don’t turn off the motor, you never really need the ignition but once.

Great points about temperance with food and alcohol. I enjoy both as much as the next person, but I have also found that it is a lot easier than people think to control their consumption.

It is a matter of eating and drinking HABITS. Abstaining or over-indulging once in awhile will not make or break you, but the consistent application of those concepts will cause great benefit or distress over the long-term.