Archive - The Familiar

A shorter than usual essay this month, because I’ve been busy (in a rather un-STA way, I admit).

May 20 • Gareth Howell-Jones

March 2026

VISIONS, INSIGHTS AND JUST KNOWING

Like all the essays published here, this is written from a perspective called STA, an attempt to look squarely at the world without social or cultural…

Mar 18 • Gareth Howell-Jones

January 2026

SO, WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO?

There is one question I am asked more than any other.

Jan 19 • Gareth Howell-Jones

November 2025

THE TYRANNY OF USEFULNESS

The last essay extolled the virtues of plodding thought that, like a water-bead finding its way from peat moor to the ocean, follows the dictates of…

Nov 12, 2025 • Gareth Howell-Jones

September 2025

Think of a tiny droplet of water, emerging through the peat on top of Mynydd Troed.

Sep 15, 2025 • Gareth Howell-Jones

July 2025

STA IN INTERESTING TIMES

Jul 9, 2025 • Gareth Howell-Jones

May 2025

SKYLARKS & POTENTATES

On the difference between things that talk to you and things that speak to you.

May 14, 2025 • Gareth Howell-Jones

March 2025

Where Did The World Go?

STA, the subject of these essays, is a reality-based world-view, which was summarised in the last Substack essay The World As It Is. Here I explore what…

Mar 18, 2025 • Gareth Howell-Jones

January 2025

The World As It Is

A friend suggested that, for the first Familiar of the year, I should summarise in simple terms the way of looking at the world which I call STA.

Jan 28, 2025 • Gareth Howell-Jones

November 2024

THE SEED OF CREATIVITY

Some thoughts about the roots of making: where did art come from and what is it for?

Nov 24, 2024 • Gareth Howell-Jones

October 2024

SEARCHING FOR THE SPIRITUAL

The vicar I was talking to seemed despondent about the world – climate crisis, war, political short-termism, a media unwilling to take it all seriously…

Oct 19, 2024 • Gareth Howell-Jones

September 2024

MILES AND MILES OF NOTHINGNESS

Once there was only one wolf left in Wales.

Sep 5, 2024 • Gareth Howell-Jones