What Awaits You
A gathering not built for performance or productivity—but for remembrance.
Symposium is a six-day, five-night immersive retreat set deep in the redwoods, designed to return you to your own truth— through myth, ritual, creative inquiry, and embodied rest.
You'll move through a living arc, gently structured as a Hero’s Journey—where each day brings new invitations to reflect, express, receive, and reveal.
It’s not about finding answers.
It’s about experiencing the Point…
that pulse of knowing what lives within you.
Here, you are the main character.
You’ll Experience
Guided rituals and mythic conversation
Somatic practice and intuitive movement
Sacred storytelling by firelight
Quiet time in nature and reflective solitude
Symbols, prompts, and objects designed to meet you exactly where you are
Shared meals, laughter, and connection that transcends surface talk
Ceremonies to mark your own inner thresholds
You won’t just be given a path.
You’ll be given the space to discover your own.
Retreat Includes
Shared lodging (limited private accommodations available)
Mindfully prepared vegetarian meals and nourishment
Exclusive Symposium welcome gift
Round-trip airport shuttle transportation (from SFO Airport)
Optional on-site 1:1 coaching + massage experiences or exclusive VIP gift box for an additional price
Small group format for depth, intimacy, and resonance
By application only
Symposium isn’t something you just attend. It’s something you step into. If you’d like to feel the shape of the experience before you arrive, we’ve created a guide filled with everything from our mythos to our rituals, the arc of the retreat, and who you’ll be journeying with.
Founder & Experience Curator
Holds the vision and shapes the soul of Symposium. Curates the journey from myth to moment. Guides guests through the living story and offers intuitive coaching sessions.
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Julia Henning is a PSYM-Certified Coach, author of It Gets to Be Easy (If You Let It), and immersive experience designer with a background in psychology, storytelling, and ritual theater. She is the architect of Symposium—a mythic sanctuary she’s spent years dreaming into reality, where transformation is less about self-improvement and more about self-return. At Symposium, Julia leads Sacred Symposiums—our version of guided workshops—which weave together visualization journeys, expression circles, somatic storytelling, and intentional connection practices. These sessions help guests gently unravel limiting narratives, access intuitive wisdom, and return to their inner clarity. She also offers VIP 1:1 on-site coaching sessions for those seeking deeper integration and personalized insight within the retreat container. Julia’s work blends humor, depth, and mysticism to create spaces where people feel safe to unravel, reimagine, and reclaim themselves. Her sessions guide guests through visualization journeys, ease-based workshops, and intuitive narrative work that invites honest, embodied self-discovery. She’s not here to teach you who to become—she’s here to walk beside you as you remember. She is your guide, your keyholder, and your co-conspirator in this sacred unfolding.
Instagram: @iamjuliahenning
Website: www.iamjuliahenning.com
Co-Founder, Creative Architect &
Ritual Designer
Designs the immersive world and its sacred scaffolding. Crafts the ritual arc, symbolism, and sensory experience. Weaves meaning into every detail—from space to side quest.
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Julia Farrell Diefenbach is a visionary creative force whose work bridges performance, ritual, and immersive storytelling. As a director and dramaturg, she crafts experiences that explore the depths of human emotion and collective memory, inviting participants into story as both mirror and catalyst. She currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Community Engagement for Shattered Globe Theatre, and the Managing & Marketing Director for Artemisia Theatre, where she champions bold, intimate, and socially conscious storytelling. Julia’s dedication to creating spaces where art and soul converge makes her an integral steward of Symposium’s living myth. Her fingerprints can be found in every symbol, scene, and silence woven into this world.
Website: www.juliafarrell.net
Instagram: @thegingerjules
Retreat Manager & Magic Maker
Anchors the behind-the-scenes flow with grace.
Coordinates the logistics so magic has room to breathe. Ensures each guest feels seen, supported, and held.
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Irina keeps the wheels turning and the vibes flowing. Whether she’s wrangling schedules, solving the unsolvable, or finding beauty in the chaos, she makes sure everyone’s where they need to be (with snacks, if possible). With a background in creative production and a heart rooted in community care, she’s here to help make Symposium not just run smoothly—but feel like home.
Instagram: @irinaestyunina
@chromatica_events
Somatic Embodiment Guide
Invites the body into ritual and rhythm.
Guides movement as medicine, sensation as truth.
Offers the VIP Anointed Body Journey— a restorative massage experience.
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As a lover of the souls expression by way of the body, Lindsay has mastered the role of guiding others to their zenith as holistic embodiment massage therapist, energy healer and dance/movement guide. With a deep passion for storytelling and honoring the wild, untamed freak within, her work is rooted in the belief that the body holds wisdom, and through touch, movement, and playful expression, we can access deeper layers of healing and authenticity. Whether on stage, in the studio, or in sacred one-on-one sessions, Lindsay creates space for her fellows to reconnect with their truth, reclaim their joy, and move through life with bold, embodied presence.
Instagram: @zenithmassagebylindsay
Facilitator of Inner Inquiry &
Reflective Ritual
Leads presence-based paths through language and stillness. Illuminates the quiet thresholds through symbol and reflection. Holds Tea Time with the Keeper—a soft space of gentle witnessing and inner clarity.
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Mary-Grace Hogan is a life coach, energy healer, and founder of Meaningful Retreat House—a nature-based sanctuary for transformation and creative embodiment. With over six years of experience guiding clients through emotional mastery, somatic tools, and spiritual integration, she curates heart-opening experiences that help people reconnect with their inner wisdom. Her retreats are immersive portals into presence, healing, and soul-led creation.
Instagram: @marygrace_julianna
Ceremonialist & Energetic Healer
Tends the sacred through shamanic ritual and womb-born wisdom. Channels ancestral rhythm and elemental memory. Opens portals of renewal through ceremony and unseen care.
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Dayana is a Womb & Pelvic Keeper helping women connect back to their body and womb. She’s a medicine woman, intuitive coach, emotional energetic practitioner, embodiment practitioner, and has studied in the realms of the mystic and shamanic arts, and continues to undergo education to become a pelvic care practitioner. She also has a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling. She lives and breathes everything that she teaches. Her background has led her to be able to hold deep ceremonial and sacred spaces for women to thrive and connect back to themselves & remember who they truly are. Her path into the womb lineage began after experiencing pregnancy loss and diving into her body and herself through many somatic, energetic healing and tantric practices. This has allowed her to uncover many hidden aspects and keys about who she is as a woman and become more devoted to herself and Spirit. The life experiences and amount of education allow her to deliver spaces from an integral place. Currently, she offers mentorships, ceremonial whole woman, whole pelvic care. All to help women come back into their precious bodies and thrive.
Instagram: @herwhollywisdom
Website: www.herwhollywisdom.com
Immersive Operations Coordinator
Supports the beauty behind the scenes with precision and presence. Assists in world-weaving through transitions, timing, and touchpoint care. Bridges logistics and magic—ensuring every immersive thread finds its place.
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Nikki is an intuitive chef, writer, and wellness practitioner based in Temecula, CA. As the owner of Wine Country Catering & The Nook, Nikki has the opportunity to cook for large events as well as private retreats. She crafts innovative, health-focused menus that emphasize creativity and mindfulness for events ranging from yoga and wellness retreats to weddings and corporate events. Beyond the kitchen, Nikki is a Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator, Sound Healer, Reiki Practitioner and Yoga Instructor. Drawing from a deep well of training in multiple modalities, She provides comprehensive wellness support to clients, guiding them through pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond with compassion and care. In addition to culinary and wellness work, Nikki is an aspiring novelist, with short works published in various literary outlets. Currently, she is focused on writing her first novel, a coming-of-age exploration of the plight of the everyday woman in modern society as she discovers her truest inner self. With a strong background in the arts and wellness, Nikki strives to inspire others to live more balanced, mindful lives.
Instagram: @namastedoulanikk
Website: www.namastedoula.com
This is not just a retreat.
It’s a world. A myth. A moment in time designed for your return.
Let the envelope open. Let the invitation be read.
Let yourself be led by the quiet part of you that already knows.
Courtesy of Spirit Camp
FAQS
What you may want to know before stepping into the myth.
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Symposium is an intimate, all-inclusive retreat, and pricing is based per bed, not per room. This allows us to create a communal experience while keeping things accessible and flexible.
Investment per guest ranges from $2,400–$4,900, depending on your selected space and whether you are traveling solo or with a companion.
Shared Cabins: Many rooms are shared spaces with 2–4 guests per cabin or lodge room. You will choose your own room and bed at the time of registration based on what feels most aligned. Each guest pays individually per bed, not per room.
Private Beds: A limited number of more secluded or premium-tier beds are available at a higher investment for those seeking additional space or solitude.
Companion Travelers: Select rooms may be reserved for two guests traveling together. An additional $500 will be added to the original room price for shared bookings. Simply select the “shared” option at checkout if available.
Your investment includes:
5 nights of lodging at Spirit Camp in the redwoods of Northern California
All meals and beverages (nourishing, locally-sourced, and lovingly prepared)
Shuttle transportation to and from the retreat from a designated pickup point (SFO airport)
Immersive programming, workshops, rituals, and artistic experiences
Professional facilitation and guest services throughout the retreat
Custom welcome gifts and symbolic keepsakes
Participant insurance to ensure safety and peace of mind
We’ve intentionally designed Symposium to be an all-inclusive, high-touch experience so that once you arrive, you can fully drop in—no additional costs, no extra decisions, just presence.
✨ Optional VIP Add-Ons
For those craving an even deeper layer of support and embodiment, we offer a select number of VIP enhancements you can reserve in advance:
On-Site Coaching Session with Julia – A personalized 1:1 session during the retreat to dive deeper into your journey, gain clarity, and receive intuitive guidance.
Anointed Body Massage & Integration Ritual – A sacred somatic experience guided by our embodiment practitioner to support nervous system regulation, energy alignment, and emotional release.
Curated Integration Gift Box – A masterfully crafted box of symbolic tools and sensory items mailed to you before the retreat, designed to help you begin your journey of intention and embodiment before you arrive.
Details and pricing for VIP add-ons will be shared with accepted guests during the registration process.
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This is a highly curated, intimate gathering.
The First Gathering has the capacity to host 20 guests, held by our full team of facilitators, spacekeepers, and support staff. This ensures depth, spaciousness, and personalized care—every participant is seen. No matter the group size, the experience remains intimate, immersive, and deeply rewarding. -
Each day follows a gentle arc, with a balance of guided sessions, spacious downtime, and surprise elements woven throughout. Mornings may include somatic practice or writing inquiry, afternoons offer ritual, workshops, or rest, and evenings invite you into storytelling, sacred gathering, or ceremony. A full schedule will be shared with accepted guests—but part of the experience is surrendering to the unknown.
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Not at all. Symposium is not about arriving “ready”—it’s about arriving willing. Whether this is your first retreat or one of many, you’ll be met where you are. No prior experience in any practice or modality is required—just an openness to curiosity, presence, and reflection.
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Yes. Many guests attend solo, and often leave with deep, lasting connections. You will be entering a carefully held container, facilitated by trained professionals with experience in group dynamics, trauma-informed care, and ritual spaceholding. Safety, support, and sovereignty are foundational to how we operate. You are not alone here.
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The First Gathering will take place on private land at Spirit Camp, a forested sanctuary in Mendocino County, California. The exact location and arrival instructions will be shared with accepted guests upon confirmation. All transportation from the designated airport is included.
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Airfare is not included. Guests are responsible for getting themselves to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). From there, round-trip group shuttle transportation to and from the retreat site is provided by Symposium at no additional cost. If you choose to drive yourself or arrive from a different location, you are responsible for your own transportation and costs.
Optional add-ons—such as 1:1 bodywork sessions, private coaching with Julia during the retreat, and a pre-booked VIP gift box—are available for an additional fee.
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It begins with curiosity. Then a click.
When you submit the form on our “Answer the Call” page, you initiate your story. From there, someone from our team will personally reach out to connect—you just have to answer the call.
If it feels aligned, you’ll be invited to complete a deeper application and may be offered a space to join us. We hold this process with care and intention, and we reserve the right to lovingly decline applications that don’t feel like a fit—for your sake, and for the integrity of the group. From there, you'll receive a welcome letter, payment details, and a personalized onboarding form to help us prepare for your arrival.
Every step is relational, intentional, and designed to honor your presence.
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No. Symposium is open to all gender identities and expressions.
If you feel called to this space and are willing to enter it with reverence, curiosity, and respect, you are welcome here. -
Then you’re in the right place.
We invite you to trust the timing of your “yes.” If you’re feeling the pull, you’re encouraged to submit the form and start the conversation. This may be your first threshold—and you don’t need to walk it perfectly. You just need to start. -
Symposium draws seekers, creatives, space-holders, deep feelers, quiet questioners, and those who are in a moment of becoming. Some are in transition. Some are craving connection. Some are simply listening to the pull. What unites them is not who they are on paper—but the energy they bring: curiosity, openness, and readiness for something true.
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Yes. Spaciousness is a sacred part of our rhythm. Each day offers time for integration, solitude, and stillness. You will never be required to participate in everything, and we honor each guest’s personal pacing throughout the journey.
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A full packing list will be provided to accepted guests, including suggested clothing, personal items, and optional ritual objects. Think layers, comfort, a journal, and anything that helps you feel grounded and open. You don’t need to bring anything to impress—just what helps you feel like you.
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We intentionally create a low-tech environment. Limited reception may be available, but we encourage digital stillness during the retreat. Emergency contact protocols will be shared with all accepted guests, and you’ll be fully supported throughout your time off-grid.
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Yes. Symposium is a sober experience. We create altered states through presence, not through substances. This helps us hold a clear, grounded space for all guests—regardless of background or experience level.
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Integration is part of the journey. You’ll receive optional post-retreat reflection prompts and a gentle invitation to share your experience with our team. We also stay in connection with our guests through occasional alumni offerings, follow-up support, and future gathering invitations.
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We are committed to guest safety and collective well-being. We ask that guests respect communal care by not attending if feeling unwell. Detailed policies will be shared with accepted guests closer to the retreat date.
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Because of the intimate nature of Symposium and the preparation involved, all payments are non-refundable. However, if you are unable to attend due to an emergency or unexpected circumstance, you may request to transfer your spot (pending approval). We recommend purchasing travel insurance in case of changes outside your control.
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Yes. Upon acceptance, you’ll receive full details about both pay-in-full and payment plan options. We are committed to making this experience as accessible as possible, while honoring the energetic exchange that sustains it.
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Our team includes experienced facilitators trained in spaceholding, somatic awareness, trauma-informed care, and retreat management. You’ll be supported not only in sessions, but throughout your stay. We’re here for both the visible and invisible parts of your journey.
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We’ll ask about this during onboarding. Symposium accommodates a range of dietary needs and minor mobility limitations, though the land is rugged and partially off-grid. Please let us know what you need—we’ll do our best to meet you with care and honesty.
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Yes. All accepted guests will receive a participation agreement that includes a liability waiver, community agreements, and a brief overview of expectations. This helps us co-create a space of mutual respect, trust, and clear boundaries.
Prefer to skip the immersive invitation and apply?
Full investment details can be found on the Home page and in the FAQs before applying.