This is a plant with limited versatility, which is unfortunate, but its one superpower is a big one. It is a beast when it comes to impostors: spotting impostors, shifting impostors, being an impostor, curing impostor syndrome. This plant is a must have for a magic cabinet.
Let's begin with an oddity… A few days ago I found a weird caterpillar in the garden, sitting on a tomato plant. Its location was coincidental, I believe, as it was definitely not eating the plant. It looked very much like an inchworm, more details can be found in the journal entry for Bob. What made me suspect it was not an inchworm was that it bit me, then ate a large amount of raw chicken. I put the “caterpillar” in the safe shed and fed it chicken injected with A. densifiourus tincture. Then I kept watch. Through the viewing ports I could see it almost immediately grow to about five inches in size before spinning a cocoon. The cocoon bubbled and roiled quite violently, and then very rapidly burst. All of this within the span of about ten minutes. Out of the goo climbed a furry black moth with red eyes approximately seven inches in length. Its body seemed to be anthropomorphic, but it was hard to tell through the small viewing port. Anyway, it will be living in the safe shed until I know exactly what it is. I’m tempted to say I’ve stumbled across an immature mothman, but that could just be wishful thinking.
But on to other things. I’ve discovered through a bit of trial and error that drinking A. densiflourus tincture mixed with horseradish (is horrible, yes, but also…) will give you the vision to spot and impostor and see them in their true form. The horseradish will shock your system so that the A. densiflourus can’t shift you into something when you’re unprepared for it, so it is a crucial part of the potion. The effects will last for a few hours so definitely use before a date or any other social engagement you're worried might be infiltrated by impostors.
Changing into something else is another matter altogether.
Much more difficult.
- Step 1 - Immerse yourself in knowledge of the thing you're changing into. Whatever it is, you need to know everything about it. Find one in the flesh, if you can, even if it's at your local zoo. If it’s a monster you want to change into, consider other methods, there are typically easier means to that end. I’ve mentioned animals and monsters, but changing into another human is also an option. The steps are the same.
- Step 2 - Prepare yourself. Transformations are hard. They're painful and traumatic, even if you're doing it on purpose. In the days leading up to your shift, ensure you’re practicing plenty of self care and staying hydrated. Meditating on your shift is also a wonderful way to prepare your mind for the upcoming change.
- Step 3 - Prepare your potion. A. densiflourus tincture with some powdered bone, hair, or other part of your intended transformation trajectory is critical. Your body needs to know the path it’s taking. If you don't have a piece of the animal, monster, or person you want to become, you will be taking a big risk. A. densilfourus is… creative. The plant enjoys reproducing things it has encountered, but you’ll have no idea what that is. You can, of course, attempt to meditate on the thing you plan to change into, but this becomes very difficult once the pain of transformation begins. Not doing this spell properly is how we got the Michigan Dog Man… or the Loveland Frog, for example, or even the Bunnyman. You’ve been warned.
- Step 4 - Location. Make sure you're in a place far from other people, preferably in the habitat native to your chosen form. Have images, bones, fur, etc. of your chosen form on hand to help you keep your corporeal destination in mind. Don't eat! Water is ok. I suggest taking a pain killer ahead of time. Opiates are best if you can get your hands on them. You'll bleed, probably a lot, so alcohol is not recommended. Now, you will need food for after the change. The process is extremely costly from an energy perspective. You will be absolutely ravenous, and likely not thinking rationally, so having a few meals prepped for your recovery is key. You wouldn’t want to find yourself wandering a populated area in a state of irrational, and ravenous rage.
And finally, impostor syndrome. This is an altogether real phenomenon that robs your soul of peace, makes you doubt yourself, and makes you doubt your path. Quite a horrible affliction that can render even a very talented witch powerless. But no matter, it’s a simple fix. Dry and crush A. densiflourus into a fine powder, mix with lavender oil, sunflower seed oil, and coarse sea salt. Add moon water, just a dash. Either the wolf, hunter, or harvest moons, depending on what you’re feeling impostorish about. New moon water can also be effective if this is a new thing you’re learning and you want to boost your growth potential.
Next, take a nice hot shower. Spread the mixture all over your body, really rub it in. The salt will cleanse, the sunflower oil softens, lavender of course is calming, moon water is a power booster, and the A. densiflourus powder (when combined with the other ingredients, sea salt specifically) will seep into your body, mind, and soul, affirming that you are who you want to be and dispelling all doubts about your path and purpose. I like to repeat the following during this ritual:
I am everything I want to be I am everything I need to be I am fire, I am the quake I destroy and I create I am the witch
