Marcus Ward

@marqsward.bsky.social

524 Followers 167 Following

Mental health meets magick. Harnessing spirituality for personal growth, to help recover from burnout, tend old trauma wounds, and manage ADHD symptoms. 🏳️‍🌈 /|\ 🪷 Multiple He/They 🩶🩵🤍🩵💛🩷 Caution: Loki hangs around me

A siamese cat nestled into the remains of a raspberry patch - a tangled thicket of skeleton-like stems which crack the sunlight into dappled streams and blotches across the cat and ground. This mostly white cat wears a blue harness has a matching leash which stretches out and loops over a stretch of grass to the right before anchoring back into the soil. The new grass glows bright and cheerful as it soaks in the early Spring sunshine spilling over it. In the bottom center, a grey shoe peaks into the scene - revealing the photographer-author's presence.
A silver light rises off a pewter cross of St. Brigid (also a symbol of the Goddess Brigid and an example of where Christian and Pagan can unite in love and light) brightening the wall of red brick where it sits above the altar on my fireplace mantle.
Close up of two runes sat on a backdrop which appears roughly black and golden. The leather has been decorated with organic vines and geometric shapes. The rune centered and most in focus is Fehu. From the upper left corner, Ansuz seems to look upon Fehu - suggesting contemplation and reminding viewers of Odin as well as the sacrifice given to discover these powerful symbols.
A blog post cover with brown back drop behind white San sarif font at the top reading "Three Nights of Solstice Dark" followed by a link to "Mental Magick" at MarcusWard.Substack.Com Below, an image of an owl set on a slice of wood framed in bark is illuminated by multicolored lights and framed in the branches of an evergreen tree brought in doors for the winter holidays.
Screen shot of a book's cover. The title "A Psalm for the Wild Built" is written in bold, pale yellow, san-serif font with letters of varying thickness to give it a wild, imbalances feel. The words bounce from center to left of center then right of center, one at each level - cascading down the cover. In a smaller version of this odd font, at the bottom and right of center, is the author's name "Becky Chambers" and above that, but below the title, are smaller and paler plain sanserif font of even size and thickness which read "A Monk and a Robot Book" giving a subtitle and hint of a series. Behind the letters, a curved path winds up from the bottom right to the top left, frames by flora, and curving to suggest ascending up hill. At the top end, stands a grey, robot figure. At the bottom end, the end of a wagon with a little porch where a human sits holding a steaming mug and gazing down at the dirt path.
Screen shot of a poem by Andrea Gibson from their book "Take Me With You." The white, san-sarif font is set against a solid black back drop, and it reads: "I know God's number by heart. I know it isn't listed in any book."
Photo of a fire pit after dark, the flames reaching up towards the screen dome cover and setting the crescent moon and star shapes around the base aglow. Over the image are white words in sanserif font which read: Ritual of Release (Fire) A simple yet powerful fire ritual to support major life transitions." At the base in a water mark reads the authors handle: "MarcusWard.SubStack.Com" This redirects to my blog post which can also be found using this link: https://open.substack.com/pub/marcusward/p/ritual-of-release-fire?r=1xpwk9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Seven hematite stones with elder futhark runes carved into their surface are laid out across the leather of a BoS (Book of Shadows). This backdrop is decorated with golden, vine like designs around a six point star. Three runes at the center of this star, are clearly visible. From left to right they are Kenaz, Thurisaz, and Tyr. Together, the three can be read as a call for introspection, curiosity, and insight to navigate dark depths and face or overcome challenging obstacles especially where old wounds or misled warrior energy holds the reader back. It could also be seen as a call for warriors of light to heal themselves and, by extension, the world around them. Above and to the left of these, slightly out of focus, are four more runes. From left to right they are Mannaz, Ansuz, Radio, and Sowilu. Lined up together like this, they spell out Mars - a subtle nod to Tuesday which evokes energy of wise action for a successful journey. Note: the most potent reading for any viewer will be the one their intuition guides them towards, and many possibilities may be found beneath each of the runes pictured. In other words, do not limit yourself to the interpretation given here - seek what resonates.
Zoomed in picture of my keyboard focused on the Control, or Ctrl, key at the center. Symbolic of the hidden hierarchy behind what's become a sort of replacement for organized religion. White, Sans Serif font laid over the images reads "The Tech Religion: A HIdden Hierarchy" followed by "AI and Computer Science in general have stepped into where religious organizations once reigned supreme, but the game hasn't changed; it's all about control." Below that, in smaller font it states "Available September 9th, 2019" and a water mark at the bottom reads "MarcusWard.SubStack.Com" Written after months of feeling unsure why the way we talk about AI was so troubling. Now it seems obvious; to an ADHD, pagan recovering from burnout and focused on mental health and healing, this is naturally deeply unsettling.
A close up of a maple tree with leaves just beginning to turn gold and crimson in the early autumn. White, sans serif font summarizes an blog post on insights into US culture gained working with Hekate to heal old wounds and grow into deeper and healthier mindsets around culture, anger, depression, and forgiveness. The words read "Hekate has shown me the USA is rootless and all the ways the wounded, toxic fruits of this sickly tree show up every day." Followed by smaller font stating "Availible Septemeber 5th, 2025" and a water mark reading "MarcusWard.SubStack.Com"
A quote, by Susan Jeffers, in italics reads: We cannot escape fear. We can only transform it into a companion that accompanies us on all our exciting adventures.... Take a risk as day--one small or bold stroke that will make you feel great once you have done it.
2/2 Screen Shot of a newsletter sent by "yourboyfj" Frank James - for the week of August 18th, 2025 - the Word of the Week is "Puzzle"
1/2 Screen Shot of a newsletter sent by "yourboyfj" Frank James - for the week of August 18th, 2025 - the Word of the Week is "Puzzle"
The rune thurisaz in black on a white back drop. This rune reminds me that heroes are not born but made, they arise from acts of courage where fearful meets determination or passion and hard choices are made to face the challenge (or "giant") in their path.
A siamese cat (Durin) sits gazing out the window with me, as I contemplate the full moon and the equal armed cross of light extended out from that pure and pale center of light in a dark sky. Esbat vibes abound this evening.
Four freshly baked, large sourdough rolls - the remains of a larger batch which we used for buns to hold our grilled burger dinner. Baking sourdough bread has become a roughly weekly habit for me now and always feels like a small ritual or act of communion that connects me more deeply with Brigid.
Book cover with a water color esq teal, coral, and earth tone image of bamboo growing on a hill overlooking water. Title and author details in white and black san-serif font read: "When Therapy Doesn't Work" "A Mindfulness Guide to Emotional Repair" by Shelly Young and Shinzen Young with voice work (for the audiobook edition) by Elizabeth Reninger
A path cuts between wetlands and the rise of trees now thick with leaves. Deep shadows form at the edges of trunks and along the base of bushes. A thin gravel path gives bold contrast to the otherwise lush green scene and reflects the pale light from above. Off to the upper left, the sun turns white cloud into a sheed of bold light before it heads towards bed.
A single lilly lays in the middle of a rocky path at sunset. It's white petals are tinged with golden-orange light that accentuates the delicate little patch of creamy yellow at its heart. This path has been raised between wetlands full of frogs, birch, and red cedar. It leads from residential and road filled spaces into a small patch of woods. One of my local havens.
A gentle breeze traces its way between red maple to raspberry and around the quail coop. Birds and butterflies flit along, lifted and guided by its gentle hand. It is tracing out the shape of summer.
An odd collection of cat toys, a feather (gifted to the cats) and a handful of uneaten dry food (which had to be brought from across the living room) are laid out in an almost circle on the floor. They are positioned where rug and hardwood meet and between a dog bed and dogfood dish. Crunchies spill from rug towards hardwood, pointing the way to an abundance of toys.
3 small, powdery blue flowers blooming in a shady patch of grass. A little ways off, bursts of yellow and bright, sunlit borders frame this island of shade. They reflect my own situation well: Finding beauty in the darkness. Looking out at the cheerfulness around me to remember it is Spring - a time of life and renewal. Once again I am deeply grateful for my spiritual practice and especially the meditations that give me such clear sight even through tears.
An old tuba given new life as a planter.
A pot of water and oats simmers beside a candle dedicated to the Goddess / Saint Brigid.
A streak of sunlight streams between fence posts somewhere in the background. The light makes one leaf of a sage plant glow before spilling across the ground. It catches on the tops of buttercup leaves, illuminates the fresh, bright green of spring grass, and sets it all in sharp contrast to the dark patches below this tiny forest's canopy.
Pale, bright green leaves are just beginning to coat the tops of three, pale barked sister trees as they stretch towards a cool, grey sky.
Screen shot of the Bearable app showing their polar bear mascot (with calm expression and heart shaped nose) and soft blue background.
A dimly lit video of two siamese cats playing with a blue and white sting as it is pulled across a black rug. First one pounces and chases while the other cat watches. Then they both watch, suspense and tension mounting for a moment, until the second pounces.
Daffodils, just beginning to bloom, stand out in contrast to a brick backdrop in a sunny, early Spring day.
A hand drum (frame drum) with white animal skin top, black frame, and a black cloth wrapped tip on the wood mallet.
A siamese cat (white with dark mask, ears, and paws) sits on a white and blue checkered pillow beside a black cat squishmallow. He is intent on aiding in my mediation, dream work, and journaling.
Three slices of bacon frying in a pan. They are arranged to resemble Awen.
Smooth stones of various shades peak out of a black, cloth bag with a clearly aged, but still mostly white draw string. Each one has a rune painted on its face in red. The two visible runes are Kenaz and Berkana.
A small blue rattle with hand painted designs in yellow, green, and red circling around the top and bottom. In the center, a classic, three armed, green cactus rises out of a yellow patch of sand. The slender, blue handle fits easily between two fingers. Back Story: I received this rattle during a culture fare put on in part by mi maestra de Español (Spanish Teacher) using fake money I earned during her fun twist on a final exam. It has led me into meditative states and accompanied me through shamanic style journey work more times than I can count over my nearly 3 decades of spiritual work. Now I have a beautiful drum I love like a dear friend, but this rattle will always hold a special place in my heart - despite its simple and almost childish appearance.
Two bright pink salmonberry buds peak out from a tangle of blackberry vines and young evergreen branches.
Quote written in italic, serif, black font against a white backdrop; it reads: "The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don't go back to sleep. You must ask for what you really want. Don't go back to sleep. People are going back and forth across the doorsill where two worlds touch. The door is round and open. Don't go back to sleep." - JAL-UD-DIN RUMI