Appalachian Folk Medicine w/ Byron Ballard - Asheville, NC

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.

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.

Midway through, we’ll break bread and share a warming bowl of soup, nourishing body and spirit in good company.

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.

Throughout the day, we’ll explore the culture and heritage behind these practices, dispelling stereotypes and gaining a fuller, truer understanding of Appalachian people and their ways. These traditions are not relics — they are vital threads in the living fabric of the region.

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

Come spend the day in the old ways — practical, grounded, generous — and leave with skills, stories, and a deeper connection to mountain folk medicine.

This class will be held indoors on Saturday, Octber 10th, 2026, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm in Asheville, NC.

All Firefly Gathering workshops are hosted in the greater Asheville area, sometimes at private venues. For that reason, the actual venue address will be included in your Welcome email, approximately one week before the workshop. Please note that classes are not actually held at Westgate Parkway.

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.

Stay in touch with our Facebook event:
Appalachian Folk Medicine w/ Byron Ballard

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 (2017), and the most recent is A Feral Church (2025). She lives in Asheville, NC.

You can find out more about Byron on her website myvillagewitch.com.

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