but the Whimsical Tarot....

Thank you @Misterei and @RaeveTheMad for participating with my question !!

I also sometimes think of Temperance in terms of tempering (chocolate, glass, steel). I think it brings together the ideas of everything in moderation (including moderation), Aristotelian happy medium, and alchemy. Alchemy seeks to change from one element to another and while tempering doesn't achieve that, it has to potential to alter the properties and characteristics of a substance, including appearance, texture, strength and structure. While a happy medium is desired, that doesn't mean being obstinate and remaining completely stationary; some movement is good. Tempering is very controlled heating and cooling, not going all the way to extremes. Similarly, everything in moderation, including moderation, recognizes that sometimes moving away from the middle with thoughtfulness and purpose can be beneficial. I see a connection between the Lovers card and Temperance (in the RWS I believe it is the same angel), and I think this illustrates the difference between blending and joining that was mentioned. Lovers I see as the existence of polarities or opposing forces, and the attempt to join them, but advancement through the major arcana cards in between (Chariot, Strength, etc), means that by the time we reach Temperance, that joining is being perfected into the art of blending/tempering/balancing. In terms of correspondences, the Lovers is associated with Gemini which is an air sign, and the angel is depicted in the clouds. At this point it is more of a thought or idea, rather than something that has been accomplished or manifested. Temperance is associated with Sagittarius, a fire sign, and the symbol for fire is depicted on the angel's chest. But as noted earlier, the angel has one foot in the water and one foot on land, which relates to the phase changes between liquid and solid that occur during the tempering process. Fire is the heat or energy needed to facilitate those phase changes. Editing to add: There is also the temperance movement which is about abstaining from alcohol and led to prohibition in the US and other countries. If we think about Temperance in terms of balance and control, alcohol can lead to the loss of balance and control. Temperance can serve as a warning about that loss and the temptations and bad influences coming up in the Devil card.