Dear reader of signs,
Welcome to the Thursday, the 15th of June’s observation from my daily ‘Reading the Signs’ June challenge, an exercise of paying attention with a focus in mind as the day unfolds.
I’m half-way through this daily practice! And at this point, on this card, I felt a bit stalled out. Yet, instead of second-guessing myself, I’m going to write.
This is the Queen of Coins in the Somnia Tarot, created by artist/photographer Nicolas Bruno.
This deck of cards was created by Bruno as a method to work out the nightmares and sleep paralysis that affected his sleeping life. His images are striking and original, and show a solid understanding of the Tarot. Yet, it’s not a lightweight deck. It’s serious and weighty. As a result, it’s not one I reach for very often.
The Queen of Coins usually indicates a person in charge of their career, responsible but good humoured, with the confidence to name their price for their services without equivocation.
Immediately someone came to mind as I had an appointment with my hairdresser for the afternoon. A few years ago she took the brave step to leave the salon she worked with and set up her own business. This turned out to be a smart move as shortly afterwards the pandemic made large salons anathema to most people for a time.
I’ve known her for about eighteen years, and I’ve moved with her every time she’s made a change. I’m not someone who gets my hair done a lot. I keep it to about four sessions a years, maybe five, occasionally. But it means I see her more often than many of my friends. We’ve been through a lot together, and thrash through life topics every time I’m in the chair.
It struck me that most people have a hairdresser/barber that they cleave to, once they find the right person who can deal with their hair well. The best hair stylists are the ones who see you and your personality, listen to what you want, encourage you to try new things that actually work for you, and are fun conversationalists.1
They are also a confessor. We tell them secrets we don’t admit to our friends. It’s an intimate relationship because it’s an intimate job: they touch our hair, our scalps, and bring us into a state of beauty. So we respond by revealing our inner life. That reciprocal give and take is why you leave the chair feeling lighter — yes, partly that’s because of the dead ends on the floor, and you’re looking great, but it’s also because someone has listened to you.
We had a lively tête-à-tête, and afterwards I said I hoped I hadn’t been too full-on. She waved her hand, dismissing my concern. ‘If you knew what I’ve heard over the years… ,’ she said. The ellipsis was almost visible.
I gave her a hug, and thinking about the card, said I thought she was a entrepreneur, running her own business. She laughed. ‘My accountant wouldn't agree!’
Irish people: always terrible at taking a compliment!
There are people who do not want to chat, and just want their hair cut, but the best hairdresser will adapt to those customers too.