By Katie Marlow
For Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, polytheists, and magick-workers in the DMV area, the Firefly House is a safe space focused on educating and helping each other grow through the Pagan experience.
For many of the members, the Firefly House fulfilled a need for community with like-minded people. Laura O'Brien, a new Firefly House member commented "I see the house as a group of fascinating, diverse people who I otherwise probably wouldn't know, who happen to share a lot of core values and beliefs. And who are invested in learning and sharing together...I think the people who join Firefly not only want to practice their craft but really do want that community that otherwise is hard to find." The Firefly House is based online but often have gatherings and rituals in person.
(ABOVE) Firefly House members pass around tarot cards at a picnic table on October 30, 2021 at Prince William Forrest Park, Virginia during their Samhain ritual retreat.
The Firefly House has a large emphasis on respectful education and as pagans, those in the group feel that their beliefs can often be misunderstood. Firefly House member, Logan Albright comments "We're like any other religion in that we want to come together in gratitude to celebrate life and nature. Ethics is very important to us, and we are careful never to put anyone in a position that makes them uncomfortable. As far as witchcraft goes, it's simply a way of trying to improve life for ourselves and others through ritual, meditation, and mindfulness techniques."
"I would say this is the biggest misconception, that witches are ambitious and use our magic selfishly or to manipulate situations, when really many of us use it to know ourselves better and connect more deeply with the elements and the ancestral and spirit world, so that we can do the most good during our time on earth." - Laura O'Brien, Firefly House member
(BELOW) Hedge Witch Alex Aspiazu, 37, at ESP Cafe in Alexandria, Virginia on Nov. 13, 2021. Alex joined Firefly House after looking online for pagan groups in the DMV.
Along with educating, the Firefly House practices paganism by interacting with the natural forces of the world to connect with their inner beings. Firefly House initiate, David Dashifen Kees shares that "Paganism is also very self empowering, you as an individual pagan person chart your own course".
Paganism offers spiritual opportunities that can be more accepting and open to all walks of life than other religions. Those in the Firefly House have worked hard to create a welcoming community to all those wanting to integrate nature and natural forces into a deeper understanding of themselves.
(ABOVE) Firefly members Ki Lancaster, Alex Aspiazu, Rowan Danckert, Logan Albright and others share tarot cards and stories at the Samhain retreat at Prince Willam Forest Park, Virginia on October, 30 2021.
(ABOVE) Post-ritual feast cooks on the fire while members of the Pagan group the Firefly House chat at the campground at Prince William Forest Park, Virginia on October, 30th 2021.
Credits:
©Katie Marlow