A Mutated Psyche

The prescription for sanity

For reference, see the journal entry about Matthew and Mathilda. Their case started me down this dark path.

Some notes: This plant is very powerful. I have, since creating a human chimera, been able to create chimeras of less substantial creatures, namely Manduca quinquemaculata caterpillars that I found in the vegetable garden and placed directly on the Philodendron Birkin. They merged with little trouble, twining and fusing into a sort of two-headed, twisted caterpillar rope, but inseparable. Both heads continued to feed and grow after fusing. They also pupated with little trouble and formed a functional two-headed moth, much larger than M. quinquemaculata normally is.

Given the ease with which these moths formed a chimera, I wondered if the other plants I added gave to the above mentioned M & M were the reason their chimera was not viable. I fed new caterpillars, one a Manduca quinquemaculata and the other a little blue butterfly of which variety I’m not certain, on a diet of blended Birkin and the herbs I gave to M & M. Curiously, the caterpillars didn’t fuse until it became time to pupate, which they did in a standard butterfly chrysalis. The resulting outcome was very interesting. Two pairs of wings were present, the top pair spread out like a butterfly and the bottom folded in like a moth. It’s color patterns were spilt down the middle, half moth, half butterfly. Its body was fuzzy like a moth, however. It flew very well and fed on nectar. I created a few for further experimentation.

While the successes with moths and butterflies were encouraging, I still have no idea what went wrong with M & M. I suspect it’s just the complexity of the human condition. Humans are always a bother. Hopefully I’ll be able to procure more volunteers in the future.

All is not lost, however, for the Birkin.

I have done other research.

Rather than try to bring more things together, I focused on mutating the self to create a chimeric psyche.

A Jekyll and Hyde, as it were. Since the Birkin is a mutation, and not an advantageous one as the white pigment in its cells is useless for photosynthesis, I decided to create a similar split within a human, where the new psyche would be useless, if not detrimental. Unlike Dissociative Identity Disorder, you’re quite aware of the split and quite unable to control it.

Practical applications? None come to mind, other than forcing insanity on yourself or an enemy. But if a quiet, medicated existence in an institution is desired, this potion will suffice.

As is accepted knowledge at this point, invoking the great elder god Janus will be necessary for opening the door to the psyche to allow the Birkin’s magic in. (See Tituba of Cologne’s work on the malleability of the psyche.)

I’ll sum up the essentials here, Tituba states that a psyche can be bent, twisted, dented, scarred, etc. by quotidian traumas, but to change its essence, you’ll need a higher power to facilitate. I imagine it’s rather like needing heat or electricity to affect a chemical change in a substance. (Note to self: find your chemistry books)

Janus is a catalyst.

For this transformation, pick a location with a door and repeat:

Janus Gemini
The Alpha and Omega; Beginning and End
The one who opens doors
The one who closes doors
He who allows change
He who forgives change
Oh thou rejected God,
I alone pay homage to thee.

(Dip your finger in the potion and run it along the lintel of the door where you’re performing the ritual.)

I have given you a taste,
Oh Janus, of the potion of my toil
Open the psyche of whoever drinks this
Bitter drug
I thank you for your kind attention
All powerful, Janus Gemini

Next, either drink the potion yourself or give it to your target. The spell will last until someone drinks it, expediency is not required.

Potion:

-One Birkin leaf, I have found that the leaves with more variegation are more potent. Mutated cells must have more magic in them.

-Camphor wood

-Clove

-Oak leaf (any oak)

Prepare a tincture, this mixture will be too toxic to drink in any other form. Even in this form it could cause issues, so be wary. Not much is required, perhaps three tablespoons.

You will feel the split happening almost immediately. Intense pain throughout the body and double vision are likely, this will pass. You will hear screaming, this is your psyche ripping open and cleaving. Eventually the screaming will subside into gentle sobbing inside your skill and then, slowly, two voices will emerge. One you are accustomed to, and another. What form this new voice takes is dependent on what you kept hidden inside yourself, either known or unknown to you. Initially, you will be able to quiet one or the other voice for a time, but this ability will slowly degrade and eventually they will both babble incessantly in your head, likely giving you different, opposing, directions at the same time. Sanity will not be sustainable.

Use with discretion.