Human Development
Life-fluid emblems - temperance
Description:
One of the archetypal emblems projected by the psyche is the water of life, the vital force depicted as a stream, or as a vessel containing liquid, or as a flowing sap or shining essence. In the Tarot the water of life is depicted in relationship to two pitchers. In this emblem ([Temperance], number 14) the water or liquid is poured from the sun pitcher to the moon pitcher by a winged angel - a tempering or uniting of the male and female energies. In another emblem ([Star], number 17), a terrestrial spirit or nymph pours the two pitchers into a pool. Both emblems represent awareness of the ebb and flow of life. In this case there is a mystical ascent from the limited personality of ordinary man to the illumination of the spiritual, where all the elements are synchronized; man the animal aspires to man the god.Context:
In the Kabbalah, Temperance is placed in the 25th path between foundation (Yesod) and beauty (Tiphareth), while the Star is place on the 15th path between foundation and victory or force.<