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"Sweetgrass is best planted not by seed, but by putting roots directly in the ground. Thus the plant is passed from hand to earth to hand across years and generations. Its favored habitat is sunny, well-watered meadows. It thrives along disturbed edges."

Thus Robin Wall Kimmerer opens her profound and life altering book, "Braiding Sweetgrass."  I can't help but feel the deep metaphor for our species, and the need to have this level of connection to the earth, passed between generations.

It's hard to believe that we are in September already, and that today the sun hangs in balance; but the rhythms of the seasons and their cyclical ways tell me that time is moving.  I am seeing geese fly north, harvesting so much abundance from the garden, and feeling the chill in the air in the wee hours of the morning. To say it has been a strange year might be the biggest understatement of my life.

I've realized this year just how much these gatherings have come to mean to me; not just in how they bring together so many loved ones; not just in how they inspire my soul to grow further; not just in how my hands remember old skills and my cells remember what it is to truly be in community, even if only for a moment.

For me, it's in the ways that these gatherings mark the passage of time. I have been participating in seasonal and regional Earthskills Gatherings for more than 10 years in the southeast.  Sometimes, in the past, I would groan and moan and mumble about how much effort it takes to go, and how it keeps me from accomplishing more on my little farm, in my little life.

But in the absence of these rhythms, without the option to gather, I feel suspended in reality, a type of fugue limbo...I remember "normal" life; but it seems like a distant dream. However, I know "normal" wasn't working for most; I know that many systemic inequalities have threatened to topple our fragile reality for a long time.

The Firefly Gathering seeks to reunite humanity with Earth, so that once again we can dance together in harmony. In times such as these, let us stay rooted, and grow together, like a well tended patch of sweetgrass. 

Get to Know Our Teachers & Staff!

Each month we will offer a glimpse into the lives of some of our beloved Instructors, as well as members of our Staff and Board of Directors. Get to know who Firefly is all about! 
Feature Staff

We Love You, Bari

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our sweet friend Bari Caton. She was our senior staff member and helpful editor. She kept us on our toes, and ensured that we dotted all our "I's" and crossed all our "T's," both metaphorically and literally. She loved her cat-babies dearly, and was a part of the earthskills movement for more than 30 years. We will deeply miss you, Bari. 
FIREFLY WANT-ADS
Hey! Want to Get Involved with Firefly?

Firefly is such a robust and diverse community of people that there are a number of ways to join in on the Firefly Family Fun! You can apply to be an instructor or worktrader; you can donate to our fundraising campaign, and/or buy a ticket to attend the event. The following positions are also available.

Board of Directors: 

Blessed autumn, dear Fireflies!

What a strange year we are having! Despite the many unexpected changes, the Board of Directors for the Firefly Gathering are still doing our work behind the scenes to support our precious new nonprofit to survive these trying times and emerge next year and beyond with the light of our mission aglow and activated.

To continue our efforts, Firefly is in need of new Board members! In these precarious times we particularly need Board members with experience in nonprofit fundraising, as well as building out our Racial Equity & Social Justice Committee. Are we looking for you?

If you love Firefly and are ready and able to devote volunteer time to keep the gathering and all the good skills we offer alive and ever-evolving into new forms, please visit the 2020 Firefly Gathering Board of Directors application where you can learn more about what responsibilities and benefits are part of being on the Board and to submit your application.

We thank you for your passion and interest in supporting Firefly!
Sincerely,

Justina Prenatt

President, Firefly Gathering Board of Directors

You can fill out the Board application HERE


Videographer: In the emerging pandemic reality, we are seeking to make more online offerings. Nothing too fancy, just basic tutorials. If you are interested in working with The Firefly Gathering in this capacity, please email us at:

thefireflygathering@gmail.com. 

Thank You for your interest, and we look forward to hearing from you!
Public Service Announcement
Please Use Your Voice

Here at Firefly, we are deeply aware that our event draws a unique group of folks from many different perspectives and backgrounds, and we are so grateful for this. We strive to be respectful of our diverse family, and not push any particular agenda or perspective; however, the times that we are currently in speak to an unprecedented need for change. We have seen more social unrest and breakdown in the past four years than in many previous years combined.

While we recognize that our society has been on a crash course with catastrophe for a long time, and that massive social change has been necessary and inevitable, we do not think another 4 years of the current administration is sustainable.  While we are not excited about the choices, something must shift. So please, register to vote and use your voice! Together we can make a difference. 
Register to Vote Here!
Book-Nook

Four Books to Open Your Eyes, Mind and Heart

This month, I am writing a unique Book-Nook recommendation. As a long time homeschooling mama, I have delighted each time one of my children reaches the 9th grade because we get to delve into American History, or History of the Americas, more accurately. Here is a snapshot of our curriculum: "An Indigenous People's History of the United States," by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, "An African American and Latinx History of the United States," by Paul Ortiz, "A People's History of the United States," by Howard Zinn, and "Lies my Teacher Told Me," by James W. Loewen. 

Together, these books paint a beautiful portrait of the complexity of life in the Americas pre-colonialism, explore the European mindset that landed on these shores, and the details of what happened to this nation to bring us to where we are today. With a little planning, one can overlay these books atop each other to create an in depth chronology and evaluation of the invasion and occupation of the North, Central and South Americas, and walk through time to the present.

I am often startled at the narrative that "well meaning, educated" Americans have about our place in the story; the sense of entitlement so many carry towards this land that was stolen; and the lack of awareness of the details of the fabric of life that we appropriated to be here. A wise person once said, ""Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."  So I urge you this winter to delve into a richer and more complex version of reality.  Learn your history, then decide how you can make the world a better place...you'll be glad you did.  And your ancestors will thank you.
Firefly Gathering

PO Box 18758, Asheville, NC 28814
North Carolina 28814 United States

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