Firefly Gathering

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Firefly Gathering Firefly Gathering seeks to connect people with themselves, each other & Earth through skill sharing

What is a Hoe Down | Throw Down? You may wonder at our choice of words in naming this event? What is a Hoe Down | Throw ...
10/07/2026

What is a Hoe Down | Throw Down?

You may wonder at our choice of words in naming this event? What is a Hoe Down | Throw Down, anyway? Well, Hoe Down refers to dancing! We love to dance and deeply recognize the importance of moving our bodies together. Claire Takemori has become a beloved part of our Annual Gathering, leading a beautiful contra dance with lovely live music, bringing our bodies into harmony with each other, releasing stress and keeping this local dance tradition alive. Don’t know how to Contra? That’s ok, Claire always leads a little lesson beforehand! So bring your dancing shoes, because we’ll also have a waltz with our own Cailin Campbell! These things will be a great warm up for the magic of HOLY RIVER and the other bands that will grace our stage!

And the Throw Down aspect of this event is multi faceted. First, we need our community to throw down – as in support us financially to make this big move to Lake Eden, a place that will support our event attendees and provide a loving home for the Annual Firefly Gathering, August 11-15, 2027. Also, we’re gonna throw down, as in have a LOT of fun! And throw down as in having some playful physical interactions in the form of SOCK WRESTLING! Don’t know what this is? It’s simple: two people square off with one sock each; the goal is to steal the sock off of your opponent. Seems simple, but it is a roaring good time! So pick your longest strongest sock and challenge a friend - it is going to be amazing!

Plan to join in on the fun November 22!

https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/firefly-gathering-gratifly-hoedown-throwdown

Join The Firefly Gathering for Earthskills at Lake Eden Reunion, October 16-18, at Lake Eden – future home of the Annual...
10/06/2026

Join The Firefly Gathering for Earthskills at Lake Eden Reunion, October 16-18, at Lake Eden – future home of the Annual Firefly Gathering, August 11-15, 2027! Wander through for craft demos or take a class. Check out the complete schedule and plan to stop by Firefly Village and say hi!

We’ll be playing with:
~ Natural Dyes
~ Wood Working
~ Plant Walks
~ Mead Making
~ Willow Basketry
~ Metal Working
~ Beeswax Candles
~ And more!

Plus check out our Merch Shack and handmade wares by our instructors.

https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/39591/lake-eden-retreat

Just in time for Samhain, step into the wild heart of southern Appalachia and explore its vibrant folk traditions throug...
10/06/2026

Just in time for Samhain, step into the wild heart of southern Appalachia and explore its vibrant folk traditions through the wisdom of Appalachian magic practitioner and beloved storyteller, Byron Ballard.

In this workshop, you will:

• Learn the history and cultural roots of Appalachian folk medicine
• Explore the blending of British Isles traditions and native plant wisdom
• Work hands-on with tinctures, poultices, and traditional protection bags
• Meet the Seven Sovereign Sisters and their healing uses
• Practice deep relaxation techniques grounded in folk tradition
• Gain a richer, more nuanced understanding of Appalachian people and culture

https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/appalachian-folk-medicine-w-byron-ballard

10/03/2026

What a wonderful weekend of weaving! Our perinneal workshop classes offer a variety of earthskills classes throughout the year in addition to our annual gathering in the summer. Check out our website for more info!

As the leaves fall and the diminishing days lead to long November nights, we turn toward one of the oldest human instinc...
10/02/2026

As the leaves fall and the diminishing days lead to long November nights, we turn toward one of the oldest human instincts: to tend a small fire and lean in towards the light. Before glass was common, before hardware stores and headlamps, people depended on candles, shaping the materials around them into vessels to protect the light. Rawhide has been meeting this need across continents and cultures since time immemorial. When held to a flame, its translucent surface softens and amplifies candlelight like nothing else, glowing beautifully and coming to life with the flame.

In this hands-on workshop, we’ll join adored Firefly Gathering friend & instructor, Josh Barnwell, in crafting our own individual rawhide candle lantern rooted in European designs dating back to the Iron Age.

📆 Saturday November 14, 2026
⏰ 10am - 2pm
📍 West Asheville

The Firefly Gathering invites you for an evening of communal connection and medicine for the heart and soul! As the nigh...
10/01/2026

The Firefly Gathering invites you for an evening of communal connection and medicine for the heart and soul! As the nights lengthen and the world often feels like too much to hold, we're curating a liminal space of awareness and release, where we can acknowledge the reality we’re collectively in, and give ourselves over to the healing power of movement through dancing, singing and play.

So bust out your feral finery and get ready to come together on November 22 (location TBA) to move through the madness into joy! In addition to Holy River, we’ll have other local musical performances, the Holiday Craft Bazaar & Skills Demos, a playful Sock Wrestling tournament, Bigwitch’s Native Cultural Offerings & Food, Street Creature Puppet Collective and more!

Just days after the autumn equinox, right before the full moon, we find ourselves once again entering a much needed seas...
09/24/2026

Just days after the autumn equinox, right before the full moon, we find ourselves once again entering a much needed season of balance. We invite you to take a moment and partake in a bit of ritual to honor all that Autumn offers.

There are many ways to do this. Some favorites include creating a mandala with marigolds, ironweed, chestnuts and other abundant gifts of the season; mark due east and west at sunrise and sunset; or cook a meal full of the bounty of the garden and invite your beloveds to partake in a gratitude feast followed by a fire to sit around after watching the sunset.

If all of this is too much, simply observe the color of the light that the sun gives at this time, noticing the deep red hues that signal to the plants that it's time to prepare for rest, and follow that cue in your own heart.

Our Beloved Neighbors from the South: In the US, National “Hispanic” Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, ho...
09/19/2026

Our Beloved Neighbors from the South:
In the US, National “Hispanic” Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, honors the independence of several Latin American countries from Spain: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras all share September 15. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16 and Chile on September 18.

The word “hispanic” now refers to all people who come from Spanish speaking countries; but its origins refer to the Iberian peninsula and specifically Spain, showing the long-term ties to colonization. These celebrations of independence highlight the perseverance of our neighbors from the south, and create space to recognize the broad range of distinctive stories, traditions and cultures.

Here in Asheville, people with roots in more than 20 Latin American countries are part of our community, bringing distinct languages, traditions, food, music, art, and experiences with them. So get curious, support the people who are an intrinsic part of our community, and leave the month knowing a little more about your neighbors than you did when it began. Then be ready to stand up for them if the need arises, and remember: EL pueblo, unido, jamas sera’ vencido!

Image credit: Hispanic Heritage Month poster designed by artist Irene Matos Chan, Senior Information Technology Manager, Castle Square Tenants Organization for the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM). Reprinted with permission.

Carried across oceans in the hearts of immigrants and woven together with local Indigenous plant knowledge, Appalachian ...
09/18/2026

Carried across oceans in the hearts of immigrants and woven together with local Indigenous plant knowledge, Appalachian folk medicine is a unique living, breathing tradition: practical, powerful, ancestral. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll trace the twisty history of these old medicines and discover how culture, land, and spirit shaped a distinctly Appalachian healing practice. ✨⭐✨

Together, we’ll roll up our sleeves and work with the plants themselves crafting tinctures and poultices, and creating traditional asfidity (protection) bags from up-cycled fabric. These humble tools carry generations of knowledge about protection, restoration, and care of both body, spirit and the land.

Participants will also spend time with the Seven Sovereign Sisters of the Appalachian mountains, learning the stories and healing relationships surrounding these beloved plant allies. Alongside the herbal work, Byron will guide deep relaxation techniques rooted in traditional practice reminding us that healing has always been about tending the whole person.

📆 Saturday, October 10, 2026
⏰ 10am-2pm
📍 Asheville, NC

Last Chance for Tickets!!Join us for a hands-on, weekend journey into the art of willow basketry, where you’ll craft you...
09/09/2026

Last Chance for Tickets!!

Join us for a hands-on, weekend journey into the art of willow basketry, where you’ll craft your very own beautiful picnic basket/carry all, using the traditional European stake and strand method.

Under the expert guidance of basket maker Tyler Lavenburg, you’ll bend sturdy willow into a beloved basket, ideal for harvesting veggies, carrying your computer, or packing the perfect picnic.

You’ll Walk Away With:
• A beautiful and unique handwoven picnic/gathering basket made start to finish by you
• Knowledge of willow propagation, tending and sustainable harvesting techniques
• Hands-on experience with a variety of traditional basket weaves
• The skills and understanding to replicate the entire weaving process on your own
• A deeper connection to an ancient craft rooted in European heritage
• A renewed confidence and appreciation for what your hands can make and do

September 18-20 | Weaverville, NC

Address

PO Box 18758
Asheville, NC
28814

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