Dr. Lucian: metaphysical art therapist
It was an amazing opportunity. The ultimate experience in multiculturalism. When Dr. Lucian became the first art therapist to set up practice in Patchwork Earth, he did not know what to expect, but he knew it would push him to the utmost limits of his professional career.

His favorite clients were Christ figures who could not perform miracles. Many of them were average men and women living with common religious delusions. Some of them were survivors of a broken mental health system, living on the streets when they should have been receiving long-term care. Some were contemporary prophets who had lost their way. No matter what their origin was, their lack of divine power in this realm had crippled their self-esteem. Lucian had helped them to find other talents and meaning beyond turning water into wine. Thanks to Lucian’s work, Patchwork Earth benefited from dozens of carpenters and shepherds who prided themselves on hard work and reaching out to the community. Many of them had a hand in building the office where Lucian practiced.

Conjurers, mutants, and Shamans opened Lucian up to new forms of therapy. Metaphysical art therapy was one such discipline. Using their various powers, these clients transformed their environments into safe spaces filled with living, constantly evolving artwork. He had more experienced clients with magical skills work as mental health technicians and mentors so that sexual assault traumas and suicide fantasies would not gain physical forms that could not be contained. This had happened only once, with a powerful young Wiccan girl who routinely cut herself under her clothes. When she made metaphysical art about her emotions, an immense shadow stretched across the realm, bearing teeth like a thousand rusty blades. Nothing could quench its thirst for pain.

Lucian worked without sleep for three days to help it contain itself. “It is natural to feel so despondent in a world where you don’t know who you are,” he said softy, over and over again. “There are other ways to help yourself feel and know that you are alive.” On the third day, the shadow became translucent enough to reveal the confused and frightened girl at its core. She was given a first aid kit to treat her wounds. Lucian stepped into the shadow with her, sharing the space. He remarked on how heavy it felt to be surrounded by such darkness. The two on them created a sculpture that looked like a wounded bird. It had dirty red feathers and straight pins sticking out of it on all sides. The bird was wrapped in gauze and placed in a velvet lined box, covered with a green veil. The shadow, feeling understood and cared for, became less dominant and aggressive. After that experience, destructive feelings were still allowed to obtain physical form, but their size and power were limited.

Lucian poured himself a cup of coffee and sat at his easel, absent-mindedly priming a canvas. He wondered who his first client would be today.