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HP Tarot - 14 Temperance

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(2008) 5 1/2" x 10 1/2" Pencil on Paper. Processed and framed in Photoshop.

Temperance is an undervalued virtue these days, though we could all do with a dose of it when we live in a world where people thrive on excess: excess consumption, excess expectations, excess conviction (whether religious, political or otherwise), excess pride and sense of entitlement. All of our excess is currently boiling this planet alive - in conflicts, climatic change and overcrowding.

Temperance tries to scale back, to even things out, to redress imbalance, and that is exactly the meaning and measure of this card. When drawn you are called to assess the imbalances and excesses in your life and restore equilibrium. Can you do with less of something: less anger, less impatience, less spending, less speed, less greed?

So why the Weasley twins for this card? Well, time and again they interfere to even the score:

CAPSLOCK Harry on another rant? They tell him not to bottle up his emotions, to let it all out, and their sarcasm shames him and calms him down.

Umbridge at the height and might of her power at Hogwarts? They create a swamp, total mayhem and set Peeves on her.

Harry confined to the castle, because of Uncle Vernon's spiteful refusal to sign the permission slip to go to Hogsmeade? They give him the Marauder's Map.

Molly in full smothering information lockdown for Harry's safety? Extendable ears!

Everyone hiding under the bed because of "You Know Who"? They invent U-No-Poo - to show people what's really important in life - a good digestion!

In the end their whole sweets business was founded on the idea that you can create an imbalance, and then even it out again - every puking pastille and ton-tongue-toffee has its antidote.

It took me a while to figure this card out, but once I was stuck on Fred and George, I just knew there was no other way to draw this card.
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miamadwyn's avatar
Fred & George were my favorite of all characters until the Deathly Hallows when the Dark Horse [I think you will know who I mean] swooped in and stole my heart and broke it. Yet when I saw you'd chosen them as Temperance, I was astonished. Now I see it could be no other. So brilliant!