PART 1 of The Seven Holy Virtues Series
Welcome to The Seven Holy Virtues Series
Over the next seven weeks, I’ll be sharing a series of invocations, each dedicated to one of the seven holy virtues— a counterbalance to the Seven Deadly Sins Series which is included in this post.
These virtues aren’t just lofty ideals; they are guides, helping us navigate the complexities of life with wisdom, intention, and grace.
The week, we begin with Temperence—the virtue of balance, patience, and self-restraint.
Temperance: Walking the Middle Path
This is actually my favorite of all of the virtues because it shares its meaning and value with one of my birth cards in the tarot!
Since I have been doing so much reflection recently, it seemed important to begin this series with a card that not only represents me but also one of the primary lessons I have been learning which is balance.
Balance between rest and action, ambition and patience, indulgence and discipline, oppurtunity and adversity. The Temperance, a card within the tarot embodies this in its imagery—one foot in the water, one on solid ground, pouring between two vessels. It teaches us that power isn’t found in extremes but rather the space in between.
Temperance asks:
Can you move through life without rushing?
Can you make space for both joy and responsibility?
Can you honor your needs without excess?
If have lived a life anything like mine, you may constantly feel like you are caught between burnout and inertia. If that sounds like you, this week’s invocation is for you.
Invocation for Temperance
(Read this out loud, until you feel each word settle into your spirit)
Spirit of Temperance, calm and wise,
Guide me with your balanced eyes.
Teach me moderation in all things,
And how to find the peace it brings.
Help me balance joy and need,
With measured steps and thoughtful speed.
In every choice, let wisdom reign,
And help me find serenity’s gain.
So it is, and so shall it be,
Temperance’s harmony flows through me.
A Ritual For the Week: Finding Balance
To embody the spirit of Temperance, try this simple ritual practice throughout the week:
Morning Ritual For Balance
Before you start your day take three slow breaths
Recite the invocation
Light a candle, or place a small bowl of water in your space as a symbol for flow or balance.
Mindful Midday Meditiation
When deciding what to eat for your lunch, pause.
Is this choice balanced?
Am I acting from craving or guilt?
How can I honor both impulse or wisdom?
How can I honor both joy and discipline in this decision?
Evening Reflection
Before bed, journal or meditate on how Temperance showed up in your life.
Where did you feel in balance?
Where did you feel off-center?
Final Thoughts
Temperance isn’t about denial; it’s about harmony. It’s about learning when to move and when to be still, when to accept and when to deny. This week, may you walk the middle path with clarity and peace.
May Fortune Smile Upon You.
May Love Light Your Way.
Hues
Your Neighborhood Fortuneteller
P.S: I’d love to hear about what Temperence mean to you. Where in your life are you seeking more balance?
Find more about Invocations in the post below
Invocation and Evocation:
In spiritual and magical practices, the terms invocation and evocation often arise, sometimes used interchangeably. However, they represent two distinct processes with unique purposes, methods, and implications. Understanding their differences is crucial for anyone exploring ritualistic, magical, or spiritual work.
I resonate with this so deeply, especially with Temperance representing one of my guardian angels. Once I feel confident is making an action plan to be more proactive in my life, I forget to corporate rest/recovery and now I'm needing extra days recovering from burn out. It doesn't help that whenever I am resting, I can hear the ecos of my father (sometimes boyfriend but he has been checked)
"Why are you doing nothing?"
"You are lazy"
"You must keep investing and learning"
"You will fall behind"
"You are wasting time and energy"
"You are unfocused"
-voices of men who feel like they need to compete with me versus build with me-
And these chants reinforce my need to have control and my insecurities in being enough. It's been an extremely cycle of indulgence and r rest versus restrictions and action.
This post feels very validating and a great tool to incorporate both extremes.