Temperance
Tiphareth to Yesod (Beauty to Foundation)
The Letter Samekh (ס)
Meaning: Prop, support, foundation
Samekh means "Prop" or "Support"—that which holds things up, the foundation or tent pole. Its circular shape suggests completion, protection, and the cycle of support. Gematria 60 represents completion through support. Samekh is a Simple Letter associated with Sagittarius, the sign of aspiration, seeking, and the higher mind.
Connecting Sephiroth
From heart center to foundational stability through balance
📜 The Intelligence of Probation or Trial
The primary temptation by which the Creator tries all the righteous—integration of opposites along the middle pillar.
⚔️ Challenge
Maintaining balance through the testing of integration
🎁 Gift
Alchemical transformation—the perfect blending of opposites
Path Interpretation
Connecting Tiphareth (Beauty) to Yesod (Foundation), Path 25 is the central pillar path from heart to foundation. Samekh is the prop that supports. Temperance channels heart energy into foundational stability through balance and integration—the alchemical process that transforms opposites into gold. This is the middle pillar's direct descent.
✨ Spiritual Lesson
Balance supports transformation. Integrate opposites with patience to build lasting foundations. The angel of Temperance blends fire and water, showing that what seems incompatible can be unified through skillful mixing.
🃏 The Tarot Card
Card Imagery
An angel stands with one foot on land, one in water, pouring liquid between two cups in an eternal flow. Behind, a path leads to mountains and a shining crown. The angel blends opposites in perfect proportion.
Meditation Use
Finding balance, integrating opposing forces, and alchemical transformation. The Temperance meditation teaches the art of perfect blending.
Common Misunderstanding
That temperance means merely moderation or restraint. The deeper meaning is alchemical—the active blending of opposites to create something greater than either alone.
⭐ Golden Dawn Correspondences
🧘 Pathworking Meditation
You meet an angel at the edge of a pool. The angel teaches you to pour between two vessels without spilling—to balance the fire of spirit with the water of soul. The path behind leads to your destination.
Best Timing
Sign of Sagittarius (November 22-December 21), or when integration is needed
Signs of Activation
Needing to balance opposites, situations requiring patience and measured approach, finding middle ground
Warnings
Excessive moderation becoming paralysis. Trying to blend what should remain separate. Losing the fire in seeking balance.
🧠 Psychological Dimension
Psychological Meaning
Path 25 represents the integration of conscious and unconscious—the careful blending of different parts of the psyche into a harmonious whole. It is the work of making peace between inner opposites.
Shadow Aspect
Wishy-washy compromise that satisfies no one. Using "balance" to avoid commitment. Over-caution that prevents bold action when needed.
🔮 Path States
✓ Open/Flowing
When flowing freely, you can blend opposing forces skillfully, find the middle way, and transform conflict into synthesis. Integration becomes art.
✗ Blocked
A blocked 25th Path manifests as inability to balance opposing demands, extremism, and failure to integrate different aspects of life or self.
⚠ Excess
Too much 25th Path energy leads to excessive moderation, fear of extremes even when they're needed, and losing passion in pursuit of balance.
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Common Questions
What does Path 25 represent in Kabbalah?
Path 25 is the central pillar path from heart to foundation. Temperance represents the alchemical integration that transforms heart-centered awareness into stable, foundational consciousness through the perfect blending of opposites.
Why is Samekh (support) associated with Temperance?
Samekh provides supportive structure—like Temperance's balanced flow between opposites. This path supports the entire Tree, demonstrating how moderation and integration create lasting stability.
Why is the angel mixing water?
The eternal pouring represents the alchemical process—the continuous mixing of opposites (fire and water, conscious and unconscious) to create the philosopher's stone. It's transformation in action.
How does Sagittarius relate to Temperance?
Sagittarius is the archer aiming at distant goals, the centaur blending animal and human nature. Temperance shows this integration—the higher and lower selves united in purposeful aspiration.
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