Five of Cups

I had a great weekend on Whidbey Island. I got some writing and reading done, soaked my muscle aches away in a hot tub, and refreshed my will to live. But while I was away I learned our state would be going into lockdown again immediately upon my return. You're welcome, State. I feel responsible for that.
So after a refreshing weekend, why am I so blue about it?

The Five of Cups is this blue-ness. It could be regret or grief about something that happened in the past, or a mild and temporary depression about something that is occurring at present.

But the card is also a reminder to look for the good. In classic decks, a forlorn person stares at three spilled cups, but he need only to turn around and see that two cups still remain upright. In my interpretation, Santa is sad because the cups in front of him are overturned. He's not seeing that his elves have created entire place settings just behind him. What a miserable boss he is right now.

I should also be grateful for the weekend I had - so what if I need to stay home now? I got away before it all happened! I'm pretty lucky to have gotten away when I did, and I should enjoy that feeling.​

If we imagine pulling cup cards in succession, it is highly likely that the laziness we felt during the four of cups turned into a deep regret about our inactivity.

That's the five of cups. It is the regret or grief about something that happened in the past. However, it also reminds us to look for the good. In classic decks, a forlorn person stares at three overturned cups, but he need only to turn around and see that two still remain upright.
The five of cups is an instruction to lift your chin up and look around you, there may be no need for this much despair.

Questions answered by Five of Cups:
Who? Someone with a lot of regret. 
What? Disappointment
Where? Behind you
When? The last week of October; 5 years ago; 5 units of time from now
Why? with loss comes change
Yes or No? No

Five of Cups
Before any card: Disappointment in (card)
After any card: Grief, regret, sadness
 
The Five of Cups as:
...an action?

• Look for the good
• Start a gratitude journal
• Change something

 
...a place in your house?

• The mantel

• The photos

...a place in your city?

• The river
• A bridge
• Your favorite restaurant needs your business

 
...a place in the world?

• Germany
• Japan
• Indonesia

 
...something to eat?

• Ice Cream
• Nuts

 
...something to clean?

• The area behind you

 
...where to find the missing item?

• Where you made your last mistake

...a color? black, grey
 
...a movie theme? disappointment

• Inside Out
• Marriage Story
• The Fifth Element

 
...a new career?

• Isolating hospitality work, such as a closing bartender, hotel auditor, or night nurse
• Counselor

Five of Cups combinations
With Magician: A miserable person does not realize they have the tools needed to recover.
With Knight of Wands: (before 5) a bold and fearless person dives into something they later regret, or (after 5) a sad person takes a chance on a new adventure.
With Two of Cups: Two people are feeling a loss. (2 before 5) Going through a divorce, or (5 before 2) Divorce brings you closer to your ex - you are better as friends.
With Six of Swords: The transition through grief is a terrible journey, but the right one. A journey is difficult but short.
With Nine of Pentacles: You've done things you regret to make it to the top. It is time to look back and repair the damage.