Shug the Monk

Guardian of the Circle

In 2026, Shug became a monk.

Not the conventional sort.

There is no monastery, no grand religious title and certainly no claim to enlightenment. Shug the Monk is my slightly ridiculous attempt to explore a serious idea: what happens when you decide that your job is no longer to conquer the world, but to care for your little part of it?

At the centre of Shug's world is the Circle — a simple idea representing people, animals, nature, creativity, faith, outsiders, strangers and all the complicated connections between them.

Shug has appointed himself its entirely unofficial Guardian.

His rules are fairly simple: make things rather than destroy them; protect people who need protecting; remain curious; spend time in nature; listen to people who see the world differently; rest when necessary; and never become so convinced of your own wisdom that you lose your sense of humour.

There will be black sunflowers, strange objects, cold-water swims, old stories, occasional acts of contemplation, cups of tea and probably quite a few mistakes.

And somewhere beyond all of that lies the Circle itself.

The Circle holds us all.

Shug the Monk — Guardian of the Circle
Established 2026