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The apparent mis-spelling of the title of this card is in fact taken from the 1650 Noblet version. When read quickly, it even suggests a relation to IIII - LEMPEREVR.
Many aspects of this card are fascinating. Firstly, of course, the figure is clearly winged in nearly all Marseilles versions of this card, suggesting not an incarnated human being, but either an angel or, if taking the sequence of the previous cards into consideration, of the winged Spirit of the person having passed the gates of Death.
Temperance, unlike iconographic representations of its opposite intemperance, the latter of which often shows a women in the process of emptying a jug into her own body (by drinking it), is shown in the process of allowing the fluids of one jug or urn to flow into another - some have viewed this as indicating or suggesting the re-incarnation process of soul qualities from one physical vessel to the next.
The pouring from one vessel to another also suggests a mixing of the contents of both, for even if one was 'empty' prior to this process, the inflow would be oxygenated by the gaseous content which previously filled it. One assumes, however, that there is a mixing of two fluids. As red and blue are usually prominent, this may very well be water and blood.
For me, the alchemical implications inherent in this card, and the 'proper' mix required for each consideration or action is indicated.
It is also worthwhile considering what is implied in the verb 'to temper'.
Attached is the (restored) 1650 Noblet version.
Many aspects of this card are fascinating. Firstly, of course, the figure is clearly winged in nearly all Marseilles versions of this card, suggesting not an incarnated human being, but either an angel or, if taking the sequence of the previous cards into consideration, of the winged Spirit of the person having passed the gates of Death.
Temperance, unlike iconographic representations of its opposite intemperance, the latter of which often shows a women in the process of emptying a jug into her own body (by drinking it), is shown in the process of allowing the fluids of one jug or urn to flow into another - some have viewed this as indicating or suggesting the re-incarnation process of soul qualities from one physical vessel to the next.
The pouring from one vessel to another also suggests a mixing of the contents of both, for even if one was 'empty' prior to this process, the inflow would be oxygenated by the gaseous content which previously filled it. One assumes, however, that there is a mixing of two fluids. As red and blue are usually prominent, this may very well be water and blood.
For me, the alchemical implications inherent in this card, and the 'proper' mix required for each consideration or action is indicated.
It is also worthwhile considering what is implied in the verb 'to temper'.
Attached is the (restored) 1650 Noblet version.