Temperance

Rubber Rabbit

The word Temperance with this card has less to do with moderation than it does with the tempering of the elements. The figure is traditionally standing half on water and half on earth, and is combining water and fire in her hands; in many cases this is shown by pouring something from one container to another (mixing it in mid-air). The wings give her an angelic aspect as well as symbolizing air. The Waite deck also includes many of the background aspects of the other magical cards (the twin mountains, the sun, and birds), but I chose to leave it simpler. Many of the cards for Temperance also include irises, though I am not sure why. I decided to include them because I happen to also like irises!

I carved my piece on PZKut, and printed it with Inkredible Madonna Blue pigment ink. This card will remain in my mind since it is the first time I ever carved a word backwards and had to cut it off and recarve it!