Step into the heart of southern Appalachia and experience its rich, living traditions through the eyes of a native Appalachian magic practitioner and beloved storyteller Byron Ballard. Whispers of the Mountain is more than a class — it’s an invitation to wander deep into the old ways, where the land, the water, and the spirit world speak to those who listen.
Together, we’ll explore folk practices and traditions that have shaped generations, and dispel commonly held stereotypes about the people of Appalachia. We will also learn to craft traditional asfidity (protection bags) and poppets (dolls) from up-cycled fabric, tools that carry stories of protection and healing. As we ramble through the lore, you’ll meet the spirit folk and ghosts who linger in Appalachian memory, and discover the herbs long used for both magic and medicine.
Along the way, we’ll share the deeper history and peculiarities of Appalachian folkways — not just as curiosities, but as vital threads in the fabric of this region’s people and culture. At midday, we’ll gather around to break bread and enjoy a warming bowl of soup, nourishing body and spirit alike.
In this workshop, you will:
Join us for this hands-on, heart-opening journey, and come away with new respect and connection to the deep places of this old world.
This class will be held indoors on Saturday, September 13th, 2025, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm near Asheville, NC.
This class is suitable for all – from folklore & folkways enthusiasts to those new to these traditions! The minimum age is 10 with maturity level to understand the content. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
H. Byron Ballard, BA, MFA, is a native of Western NC. She is a writer, amateur folklorist with a specialty in Appalachian folk magic & healing. She tours extensively in the US & Great Britain. Her books include four on mountain folk magic. The first was Staubs and Ditchwater, and the most recent (2025) is A Feral Church. She lives in Asheville.
In order to make our workshops more accessible, we offer two price options for each class, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout.
Thank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance, resilience, and opportunity for all.
*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events, so you only need to do it once!
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PO Box 18758 Asheville, NC 28814
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Lily is an artist, creator, and dreamer. Since a very young age, she has been immersed in the natural world and draws heavy inspiration from the wild. Though her medium changes frequently, Lily’s art and expression always incorporate an element of the organic and unpredictable. She got her associate in fine arts in 2023, and now volunteers at her school as a ceramic studio monitor. She hopes to open a studio of her own one day to have a place to teach and inspire others. In addition to doing commission work, Lily has been creating many graphics for The Firefly Gathering since 2019. Lily grew up in the Earthskills community from the time she was eight years old, so having the opportunity to grow and give back in so many ways has been incredibly fulfilling. No matter where she ends up, this group of people and ideas will always hold a special place in her heart.
