As the April sun begins to warm the walkways of the Lawrence and Haverhill campuses, the atmosphere at Northern Essex Community College is shifting. We’ve since moved past the initial “Awakening” of January and survived the “Crossroads” of March. Now, as the April/May finals approach, we’ve officially begun to walk the path towards the “Final Push.”
This stage of the semester is usually defined by a frantic search for the finish line. Much like a journey through a fog-laden forest at night, the path forward requires both individual willpower and the support of those around us. For this edition of Tarot Talk? We explore the archetypes of the homestretch and the lessons of companionship found in cultural mythology and also in our reality too.
The Home Stretch: Archetypes of the Path
1. The Eight of Wands: The speed of the season
The Eight of Wands depicts eight staves flying through the air toward a target. It’s the card of “Sudden Action” and rapid movement. In mid-April, everything happens at once: final project deadlines, graduation audits, and the push for summer registration. This card is all about momentum, about things moving forward, sometimes at an overwhelming speed. For NECC students, this card reminds you that now is not the time to stop. If anything? It reminds us now is the time to go full steam ahead, focusing your efforts on the target.
2. The Moon (XVIII): Navigating the unknown
The Moon represents that time of night where shadows stretch and the path has become unclear. It serves as the archetype of “Illusion” and “Subconscious Fear.” For NECC students, this is the mid-April anxiety kicking it into full gear—the “What if?” that keeps you awake, if you may. What if the final is harder than I thought? What if I didn’t prepare enough? The Moon reminds us that while the path ahead is foggy, it still exists and we still walk upon it. To move forward? You must trust the Universe and your intuition. Keep moving, even though you can’t see the finish line yet.
3. The Six of Swords:
Transitioning to calmer waters
In this archetype, a figure is being ferried across a body of water towards a distant shore to places unknown. It represents a necessary transition — leaving a place of turbulence to find a place of peace for yourself. As finals begin their approach, we’re all in that boat. We’re beginning the wind down from the stress of the semester and moving toward the “calmer waters” of the summer break. It reminds us that while the journey is difficult, the destination is within sight. This serves as a reminder that no matter what, the storm eventually passes and the journey towards the next chapter of your life continues onward.
The Companion’s Journey: Mio and Mayu’s Path
For this edition of Tarot Talk? I want to continue our look into the Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly mythos, this time? We’re moving passed the “Sacrifice” part and focusing on the journey of the twins, Mio and Mayu Amakura, the two playable protagonists of the game. Their tragic story is defined by a singular goal: to find the exit and escape the darkness of Minakami Village together. Do they succeed? That depends on the decisions you make throughout the game.
For the modern student, this mirrors the reality of academic life. No one truly succeeds in a vacuum, that’s for sure. Like Mio guiding Mayu through the shadows of the “Lost Village,” students often rely on their peers, study groups, and mentors to navigate the toughest parts of the semester. However, their journey also carries a warning about “The Sacrifice.” Sometimes we carry the burdens of our expectations (or the expectations of others) so heavily that it slows our progress towards finding the exit.
To survive your “Final Chapter,” we must be like Mio—focusing on the “Crimson Butterfly” of our goals—but we must also be aware of our own limits too. The “Exit” is only reached when we balance our drive with the support of our community.
Institutional resources for the final journey ahead
To ensure you reach your “Exit” safely, NECC has many “guiding lights” during the final weeks of the term:
The Writing Center: Before submitting your final research papers, ensure your work is polished and professional.
Contact: 978-556-3411 | tutoringcenter@necc.mass.edu
Student Life & Engagement: If the “Final Push” is creating isolation, reconnect with the campus community to find your “Mio and Mayu” support system.
Contact: 978-556-3731 | studentlife@necc.mass.edu
Academic Advising: For those graduating or transferring, ensure your “Exit” is properly mapped out by checking your final requirements.
Contact: 978-556-3700 | advising@necc.mass.edu
As we approach the final weeks, remember that the goal is not just to finish, but to finish together. Keep your momentum, watch for the light of The Sun, don’t be afraid to lean on your resources and remember that the Crimson Butterfly will always guide you.
