How many of us have enjoyed success in our youth and failed to capitalize on it as the years passed? What once came easy to us becomes increasingly difficult as we fail to grow and develop. Rather than meet the challenge we become self-pitying, and when new opportunities are presented we fail to capitalize on them fully.
This spread suggests to me the story of a once very successful tennis player (King of Pentacles). He had it all, skill, good looks, charm, plenty of money, and the admiration of his fans and peers, but he got lazy, careless, and fell from grace. Now, years later, he lives in the past (6 of Cups). His looks have faded, he's gone through his money, and his detractors outnumber his admirers. He has retreated from the world and spends his days wallowing in his unhappiness and dissatisfaction (4 of Cups). He is finally given the opportunity to make a comeback against a strong opponent who has been his nemesis in the past, a player who once took his title from him (Queen of Swords). He wins his match (5 of Swords) when his opponent suffers leg cramps and must forfeit. Rather than accept his victory graciously and humbly he allows pride to overtake him. Deluding himself into believing he is on the top of his game again he suffers a series of humiliating defeats that leave him a broken man.
This spread could also be the story of Hamlet. King Claudius, Hamlet's uncle, has killed Hamlet's father, the previous king, married his mother, and ascended to the throne. Hamlet is obsessed by the events of the past, and the essence of his struggle is symbolized in the 4 of Cups: "To be or not to be." Driven by jealousy for his mother, Queen Gertrude, he kills his uncle. But his satisfaction is short-lived, and he himself is slain.
Perhaps there is something of Don Quixote here as well, ending his life in a series of heroic quests for a world long gone as he battles against windmills.
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