Cards that indicate jealousy?

[Yola]

Hello friends, how are you? 🙃
Please, which arcana do you think may be related to jealousy? As I connect jealousy to possessiveness, control and desire of exclusivity... I tend to relate it to the Devil.

These two combinations already appeared (outside the romantic context) and brought me a great feeling:
Devil + Knight of Cups (when you are carried away by your own negative emotions);
Devil + 3 Cups (when there are too many people...).

It's curious because I've never connected jealousy with the Tower, but I think this could also be a possibility because of the impulsive and explosive tendency of this emotion...
Do you have any different experiences to share?

[Wanderer]

Hi Yola! Three of swords can be very closely tied to jealousy, as well - in fact, the Wildwood's Three of Arrows (the equivalent) is actually named Jealousy. Normally it's interpreted as heartbreak and emotional pain, but there can obviously be a lot of overlap. I can see what you mean with the Tower card, as well - in combination with other cards in the right context, that could easily be the case.

[Chariot]

Totally agree about The Devil.  I think it's the only upright major arcana card that plays jealousy to the hilt, because jealousy is a strong emotion that certainly entraps a person, but it is all in the mind.  Think of Othello and Desdemona. Coupling The Devil with another card is a fantastic idea in a reading.  I'm already a convert to laying two cards for clarification in every position ...at least in readings that don't involve too many cards.

The other major arcana card that could signify jealousy ...for me, anyway ...would be Temperance reversed.  That means something is out of balance, and jealousy certainly is about feelings that are out of balance.

The Moon could also be concerned with jealousy, again depending on other cards. The Moon indicates all is not what it seems.  There is a danger here of jumping to the wrong conclusion.

The Lovers reversed could mean somebody is interfering in a relationship or working to undermine one.  (Again, Othello and Desdemona come to mind, being manipulated by Iago for his own ends.)  This one, for me anyway, would indicate that something IS actually going on, and it's not just a person's imagination or paranoia.  In the case of Othello, while Desdemona is innocent, what IS certainly going on is Iago's plotting and lying.  The Lovers reversed, meaning somebody is interfering in a relationship, would have perhaps warned Othello that he was being led by the nose, and not by his wife!  Especially if The Moon was also present.

I'd also consider 6 of Wands reversed as related to jealousy—the other side has won. That could certainly trigger jealousy, if the seeker is ambitious, or somebody else resents the seeker's victory.

3 of Cups reversed could mean somebody is being left out of a circle of friends for some reason.

5 of Swords is another card that could be about jealousy, because a victory has been ill-gotten. There is an element of gloating and meanness about that card.

3 of Pentacles reversed is another possibility ...instead of being rewarded for your work, you've been passed by and perhaps the promotion or recognition has gone to somebody else.

Edited March 17, 2023 by Chariot

[MysticMoonlight]

The Magician is a possible indication of jealousy. Jealousy with/in a sense of control, manipulation, domination. Of course, surrounding cards would enforce this. The Magician with The Devil, 5 of swords, 3 of Cups are some possibilities. 

[Eric13]

I'll agree. with the Devil, and add the. 10 of Swords. Being stabbed in the back by someone whose jealous sure will hurt! I also agree with numerous others already mentioned as well. The Queen Wands is no one to mess with either.

[DanielJUK]

I don't think one card fully encompasses jealousy, so you have to spot it in combinations and in the context of a reading with single cards. Some of my ideas....

 

The Devil is really that material jealously, it's impulsive

 

3 of Cups (rx) is one of the strongest jealousy cards, it's a group of close people but one is getting worried about the other two. It's very "there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded". This card is about the personal relationships and friendships but I think all the 3 cards reversed can have jealously as part of it.

 

Knight of Cups really has trouble being in control of their emotions in a stable way. They could feel really jealous, then angry, then jealous. The reversed card is worse because they run from them and will turn to unhealthy ways of escaping the feelings, addictions and substance misuse.

 

4 of Pentacles this is a good one! That possessiveness of the card can quickly turn to jealousy. Also hoarding and not wanting to share!

 

5 of Swords the guys is taking all the swords and the resentment of the others, has he really won them?

 

7 of Swords the guy is stealing all the swords for himself and trying to not get caught doing it!

 

[Misterei]

On 3/17/2023 at 9:30 AM, Yola said:

Please, which arcana do you think may be related to jealousy? As I connect jealousy to possessiveness, control and desire of exclusivity... I tend to relate it to the Devil.... Devil + Knight of Cups ...

Normally i don't read jealousy from the Majors at all. I see it in the Minors and Courts.

 

Jealousy is so nuanced. Is it romantic jealousy? Professional jealousy? Sibling rivalry?  Financial jealousy?

All these types I would see from different cards.

You examples above Devil + Kn Cups isn't jealousy per se [as I read it] but it certainly *is* an unfaithful lover or don juan type who could be gaslighting you by making you feel jealous and then shaming you for it.

 

Typically there will be Courts in a spread where jealousy is a dominant theme. Swords courts are the most obvious ... but professional rivalry might be wands courts, romantic cups courts, and financial coins courts. Depends on the spread and context.

On 3/17/2023 at 10:28 AM, Chariot said:

Totally agree about The Devil.  I think it's the only upright major arcana card that plays jealousy to the hilt, because jealousy is a strong emotion that certainly entraps a person

Chacon a son gout! I seldom read the Devil as jealousy. I mean, yes, he might be there in a jealousy setting ... he certainly brings negative emotions and ego attachments to a spread ... but he's not my "go to" that says jealousy.

On 3/17/2023 at 10:28 AM, Chariot said:

The Moon could also be concerned with jealousy, again depending on other cards. The Moon indicates all is not what it seems.  There is a danger here of jumping to the wrong conclusion.

Yep. I definitely connect Moon to a "frenemy" scenario. Someone who ACTS like your friend ... but in reality ... not so much. Often this sort of frenemy behavior is spawned by jealousy.

On 3/17/2023 at 10:28 AM, Chariot said:

5 of Swords is another card that could be about jealousy, because a victory has been ill-gotten. There is an element of gloating and meanness about that card.

This *is* my go-to jealousy card. Depending on the spread ... nothing says toxic jealousy, envy or scheming competition quite like 5 swrods. 5 Wands can also show an aspect of jealousy about power dynamics, sibling rivalry or similar.

20 hours ago, DanielJUK said:

I don't think one card fully encompasses jealousy, so you have to spot it in combinations and in the context of a reading with single cards. Some of my ideas....

 

3 of Cups (rx) is one of the strongest jealousy cards, it's a group of close people but one is getting worried about the other two. It's very "there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded". This card is about the personal relationships and friendships but I think all the 3 cards reversed can have jealously as part of it.

To me, ANY 3 can show a love triangle situation. And if it's not an intentionally open relationship ... then love triangle usually involves jealousy. But this is always in context with other cards. Like a King or Knight with 2 queens and a 3 [for example]

20 hours ago, DanielJUK said:

4 of Pentacles this is a good one! That possessiveness of the card can quickly turn to jealousy. Also hoarding and not wanting to share!

I don't necessarily see this card when financial jealousy is present ... but you make a good point. There's something about the whole hoarding disease that people feel jealous and resentful of everyone else. So yeah. I see what you're getting at.

20 hours ago, DanielJUK said:

5 of Swords the guys is taking all the swords and the resentment of the others, has he really won them?

Yep. This one is my "go to". When I see 5 swords I often explore if jealousy is a theme.

 

Edited March 18, 2023 by Misterei

[Guest]

On 3/18/2023 at 12:45 AM, Wanderer said:

Hi Yola! Three of swords can be very closely tied to jealousy, as well - in fact, the Wildwood's Three of Arrows (the equivalent) is actually named Jealousy. Normally it's interpreted as heartbreak and emotional pain, but there can obviously be a lot of overlap. I can see what you mean with the Tower card, as well - in combination with other cards in the right context, that could easily be the case.

 

In the Tarot of Shadows by Sklyarova, Envy is Arcanum 61, which through its inverse system stands for the Four of Swords - or Four of Swords Rx in the normal world. In some traditions, the reverse of a card hearkens to the one preceding it, which in the case of the above is the Three of Swords. This is why I interpret both cards as Invidia, especially when The Devil makes his appearance in the spread. 

[Chariot]

I think it's interesting that while so many many cards can be indicative of jealousy—depending on circumstances and other cards in the reading—that there isn't really a 'jealousy' card that automatically indicates jealousy, is there?  Even The Devil.  The Devil, for me, indicates some kind of situation that enslaves a person's attention ...which can be jealousy.  But it can be lots of other things as well.  I think the major arcana is more about powers, than feelings.  The power to do ...whatever.
 

The minor arcana throws up quite a few potentials ...but again, none of them totally specific to jealousy.

5 of Swords is actually one of the nastiest cards in the deck, and it can certainly mean jealousy—which may well have perpetrated the situation the card portrays.  However, for me, my initial reaction to 5 of Swords appearance in a layout is to know that somebody is making somebody else miserable—on purpose.  For me, the card has connotations of betrayal or cruelty, causing someone to feel defeated or crushed.  (The Seeker can be the perpetrator or the victim of this behaviour.)  However, if the situation in the reading is ABOUT jealousy, this card is definitely important to figuring out the cause of that jealousy, and what to do about it.

[Yola]

Hello everybody, How are you? 🙂

How many interesting answers! Thank you veeeery much!

In fact, as it was very well put by @Misterei, jealousy has many nuances... what I love most about the tarot and its different decks is the variability with which it can represent the most diverse situations!

I would like to comment in detail on each suggestion... however, to be more punctual, I will choose to comment on the ones that caught my attention the most, ok? 🙏

 

@Wanderer, how interesting! Despite knowing this beautiful deck, I didn’t know that Wildwood's Tarot had given this name to the Three of Arrows. Sounds so good, doesn't it? It matches a lot with the emotional discomfort of this arcane!

 

Hey @Chariot, what a brilliant Othello quote! Despite not having the habit, reading reverses can add many layers to a Reading. Look how many possibilities have been added this way! These are certainly very relevant perspectives.

 

Makes a lot of sense, @MysticMoonlight! And the magician may always want to be number 1...

 

What an interesting sight, @Eric13! It wouldn't be the first or the last time someone gets so jealous that they stab someone in the back. I can also see the feeling of jealousy as the 10 of spades... so overwhelming to the point of taking us to rock bottom. Very pertinent too you mention a wand card. I see in this suit a certain inclination to the emotions that burn inside! Even more someone from the court, who always wants to have the place of evidence...

[Yola]

I agree with you, @DanielJUK! The combinations can - and a lot - contribute to a greater detailing and understanding of a situation.

I had never connected the knight of hearts with the use of substances and the way they can lead us to certain emotions... how could I not remember the 4 of pentacles! And dear Diana's quote... left no room for doubt!

 

Indeed, the 5 of swords seems like a great choice, @Misterei, @Chariot! humiliation, loss, disadvantage...

 

How insightful @Akhilleus! How enriching it is to use different decks, isn't it? And I can definitely connect jealousy with envy! Although they are different, they certainly share some nuances in common...

 

It's so good to be able to make such productive exchanges... How enriching! Once again, thank you so much everyone! 😁

Edited March 21, 2023 by Yola

[Chariot]

I was thinking about this thread earlier today, and considered how a person might react to being jealous, or being the object of jealous ire.  That would also have relevance in a tarot reading, I reckon.

A jealous person can cut their nose off to spite their face and miss out on things.  (I won't go to any party that SHE has been invited to!)

A jealous person can just seethe quietly, but bear resentment for a long time ...maybe forever.  They may cut another person out of their life, but that other person will never know why.

A jealous person can seek to undermine a person or situation they are jealous of ...making the object of their jealousy suffer setbacks, etc.  Deliberate sabotage.

A jealous person can openly attack the person they resent (verbally or otherwise), but pretend it's about something else.

All of these scenarios might produce different cards in a reading.

Edited March 21, 2023 by Chariot

[Guest]

On 3/21/2023 at 10:51 PM, Yola said:

How insightful @Akhilleus! How enriching it is to use different decks, isn't it? And I can definitely connect jealousy with envy! Although they are different, they certainly share some nuances in common...

 

Oh! Amorous jealousy may still appear to me as either Three of Swords (a heart slowly breaking) or The Devil, but often it reveals itself under the guise of The Lovers Reversed. Which is a bit poetic, since some say that The Devil is basically a profane mirror to The Lovers (angel versus devil, love versus obsession, 6 = 1 + 5, a pair of inamorati totally free versus in chains, etc.)