I'm a Beautician and a Magician: Five Tarot Archetypes that embody hairstylists.

Five tarot archetypes that represent hairstylists and other beauty pros.

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Earlier this month, for Mother’s Day, one of my favorite writers on Substack shared a post about the many archetypes mothers embody in the Tarot.¹ Rather than focus on The Empress, an archetype in the Major Arcana who embodies the traditional qualities of a mother – nurturing, fertile and deeply feminine, she instead highlighted the other archetypes found throughout the deck that exemplify the unsung qualities of a Mother.

Her post inspired me to explore the figures within the deck. The figures in the Major Arcana often represent universal images that have been studied by cultures throughout history and relate to the collective unconscious that binds us all. In Jungian tarot interpretation, the figures in the minor arcana typically refer to the personal unconscious and the people in our lives, but they are archetypes in their own right.

The post by Annie inspired me to look at my deck with new eyes. I spent the evening examining every card and personifying it, sometimes even connecting it to a person I’ve met or someone important in my life, many of whom do the same work as I do.

Here are five Tarot Archetypes that represent hairstylists. Which do you identify with or gravitate toward?

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Tarot figures that embody the archetypal Hairstylist:

1. THE MAGICIAN

   

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   The Magician, number I in the Major Arcana, represents willpower and the ability to use their resources to create whatever they envision. They have the power of all the elements at their disposal and reach for them thoughtfully and skillfully to turn an idea into reality.

   
   Stylists, especially colorists, do not shy away from a job. They collect resources in the form of education, tools and products to create alchemy for their clients. They are the magicians who turn desire into reality. I think of the colorist with an unexpected color correction and limited color stock. Being a magician in the salon is not about having everything perfectly available to you; it’s about using a combination of knowledge and resources to create magic and realize the vision.
   

2. TEN OF WANDS

   

   The Ten of Wands depicts a figure carrying the weight of 10 wands, which represent the burdens with which they need to push forward. Despite feeling burnt out, the figure takes their responsibility seriously and is determined to see it through.
   
   For better or worse, hairstylists have been conditioned to push themselves to their maximum capacity. Those of us who have worked 10+ hour days, double-booked with no breaks, know that we have embodied the Ten of Wands. I’ve come to detest this type of workflow in salons, but sometimes, it’s inevitable. What I’ve witnessed time and time again is that a good stylist never lets exhaustion interfere with their desire to give their all to their clients. They are committed to completing the task, but not at the expense of the person in their chair.
   

3. QUEEN OF CUPS

   

   The Queen of Cups is known for her compassion and kindness. She is an avid listener and uses her deep intuition to help those who seek her guidance. She is a serene and contemplative figure driven by the element of water, acting like a mirror for others.

   
   Stylists have a reputation for being underpaid therapists. While some stylists choose to keep conversations lighthearted, many of us gravitate toward this work because of our ability to connect deeply with people. While some of us may be better at advising others, most of us are willing listeners who take pride in creating safe spaces for our clients.
   

4. PAGE OF SWORDS

   

   The Page of Swords is driven by curiosity. She is a deep thinker and a knowledge seeker. On her best days she is inspired and witty and on her worst overly chatty and scatterbrained. Her determination to communicate and wield her tools effectively drives her, making her a lifelong learner.

   The Page of Swords may be one of the most quintessential hairstylist archetypes. We have all worked alongside or experienced an overly energetic stylist who has too much to say, and they are often also the most inspiring and uplifting in the salon. Their mind is usually going faster than their lips can keep up, but that same energy drives their creativity and curiosity.
   

5. EIGHT OF PENTACLES

   

   The Eight of Pentacles represents mastery and dedication to their craft. The figure works diligently toward a project, yet understands that mastering something requires commitment. They are lifelong learners who remain devoted even despite the recognition and accomplishments they’ve already achieved.

   Stylists are known for their dedication to their craft. They work in a fast-changing environment that requires a willingness to continue educating themselves throughout their career. They spend years cultivating their skillset and dedicate unlimited time and resources to mastering their craft to create work they are proud of and satisfy their clientele. I am in constant awe of the stylists I work alongside who have decades of experience under their belt but maintain the drive and curiosity to continue growing in their craft.

   Do you know a stylist or beauty pro who embodies one of these archetypes? Please share this post with them!
   

1. Tarot Mothers Beyond the Empress

2. All the cards depicted in this post are from the tarot deck by Dawn Aquarius