9 of Cups: Protocol
9 of Cups: Protocol
HELO digitaltarot.substack.com
Cups are the suit of response and reaction, of the interface between inside and outside. For computers, this means networks. A network is what we call two computers interacting.
The ninth card of a tarot suit is the fullness and perfection of that suit in the real world. The ninth card of networks is the protocol: the set of rules that many computers use to exchange information with one another. The World Wide Web, and E-mail, are really just a collection of protocols brought together so your browser and my server and your email reader and my email message can work together to get this post on to your screen.
A protocol is a set of expectations - if this thing happens, then do that thing. Expect these things to happen at this stage in the process. A protocol is a dance for multiple partners - step forward once, step left twice, twirl. If you and I both observe the protocol, we waltz forward perfectly in time together.