Samhain Symposium

Pagan Event with a sprinkle of Spirituality

Location: Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West,

3131 Campus Dr, Plymouth, MN 55441

Date: Oct. 26th-27th 2024

All day event: 9 AM-5 PM (Both days!)

All Inclusive Ticket for only $129 (Saturday sandwich buffet lunch AND Psychic Gallery included!)

Join the community

Come As You Are!

Lily of the Light proudly presents our third annual Samhain Symposium. Join us for a full day of Pagan workshops with a sprinkle of spirituality, a psychic gallery, ritual and community altar. There will also be a unique mix of vendors, readers and healers, including tarot readings, reiki, artisan candles, and more. And don’t forget there will be psychic mediums present delivering messages from the Universe and lost loved ones during the gallery reading. The focus will be on sharing knowledge and building up the community in a supportive quirky environment. So don’t miss this spiritual Samhain Symposium!

Crowne Plaza, Minneapolis West, MN

Hotel Info

Stay at the hotel. For the community, convenience and FUN!
Follow the link to book your room.

Rooms are $119/night

If there are no rooms available, email events@lilyofthelight.com and we will block more off!

Book Hotel Now!

Get Involved

It's nice giving back to the community we love!

There are many ways to participate in this amazing event. Of course you can attend and we hope you do! You can also be a sponsor or donate to ensure this event can continue to grow. Have knowledge to share? Submit programming and help build our community with valuable and accurate information. Have a product or service that is Epic? Submit to be vendor.

Sponsors

No amount is too small, donate or become a sponsor. Sponsor packages listed below or email:

Programming

We strive to offer diverse programming. All paths/beliefs welcome! Workshops, rituals, lectures, etc...

Submissions Closed

Vendors

We love all the shinies here! Submit to be a vendor and sell your wares. Products, readers and healers welcome!

Submissions Closed

Become a Sponsor

Sponsor Packages

Events like this are made possible by the generosity of sponsors, helping us build community. If you would like to take part in this multiple day event, become a sponsor, wish to donate, or would like more information send an email to events@lilyofthelight.com. We hope to see you there!

There are a variety of sponsor opportunities (payment plans available!):

Bronze Sponsor

Includes your organization’s logo and link on the event website. Social media post highlighting your organization. Special mention in event newsletter.

Cost: $200

Silver Sponsor

Includes everything in bronze sponsorship, a minimum of 2 social media posts prior to the event and another post Live during the event.

Cost: $400

Gold Sponsor

Includes everything from silver sponsorship and a 15 min interview posted to social media (including Youtube and Facebook) highlighting your organization.

Cost: $700

Platinum Sponsor

Includes everything from gold sponsorship and a your logo in the event program. Signage at the event hyping you up! 1 admissions ticket.

Cost: $1,100

Programming Schedule Saturday

Workshops, Rituals, Psychic Gallery, Labyrinth, Outdoor Programming, Entertainment and MORE!

ALL DAY 9AM-5PM

Labyrinth Walk

Outside

Take some time out to enjoy nature with an interactive labyrinth walk. Created by designer Suzi McNamara, customized for the Samhain Symposium

Quiet Corner

Viking Lounge (Near registration)

Need some alone time? Over stimulated? We got your pack. The quiet corner is a dim lit nook reversed for those who need a minute. With chairs, pillows and twinkle lights.

Selfie Wall

Next to registration table

No event is complete without a selfie wall! Pose in front of the autumn leaf quilt. Handmade by Lily's grandmother, shout out honoring ancestors!
Don't forget to tag #samhainsymposium

Vendor Room

Scandinavian Ballroom

Diverse assortment of artisan vendors, readers and healers.

9:30-10:30 AM

Opening Intentions

Plymouth Room
Share in a brief ritual to start the event off with the right vibes. Get a chance to fill out intentions card for the community altar.

Cards will be burned during the Samhain Fire Ceremony, Sunday afternoon.

11:00 AM-12:00 PM

Flower Essences for Ancestor Work

Helsinki Room

Connecting with ancestors and healing ancestral trauma is deep, sometimes challenging work. Working with plant allies through flower essences is an incredible way to gain insights and feel supported through this journey. In this presentation, Julia Knoll will introduce you to some of her favorite flower essences for ancestor work.

BIO: Julia Knoll is an astrologer and herbalist who has been practicing in the Twin Cities for the last decade, and has studied under respected teachers including Matthew Wood, Erica Fargione, Loyola Colebeck, and Martin Bulgerin. She specializes in flower essence therapy, a branch of herbal medicine that focuses on emotional and spiritual healing.

Spell Jars: Make and Take

Plymouth Room

A basic class to create spell (and intention) jars for things like love, prosperity and protection.

*Supplies will be brought and it will cost $10, but people can also donate to help others to participate.

BIO: Anung is a Eclectic Green Witch, Author, Podcaster, and Business Owner

12:30-1:30 PM

Lunch Sandwich Buffet

Viking Lounge
Enjoy a selection of sandwiches and sides included in your ticket for Saturday's lunch.

*If you have an allergy/sensitivity contact events@lilyofthelight.com if we can we will accommodate

**Please note that if you DIDN'T contact events@lilyofthelight.com with food allergies/sensitivities there wont be an accommodating lunch option*

Psychic Gallery

Helsinki Room

Lily of the Light will be leading a psychic gallery over the lunch break. Enjoy your meal while receiving messages from the Universe, loved ones and guides. The gallery will start with a brief description of how it’s run and what to anticipate. Then a short meditation to set the intention and open space for messages. Lily and other psychic/mediums will narrow in on who in the group the message is for and then share it. We will get as many messages as possible in the hour.

BIO: Lily McNamara has been leading gallery readings for many years. Owner of Lily of the Light and host of the Samhain Symposium.

2:00-3:00 PM

Dziady: A Polish Celebration of Life & Death

Plymouth Room

Dziady, translated as "Forefathers' Eve" (also called Polish Halloween) is a celebration of life and death. You will learn about the history of this special day, it's relationship to other Slavic bonfire celebrations, and how it is observed in modern times. Join us for the fun of ritual masks, romantic literature, and connecting with the ancestors.

BIO: Markus Ironwood is a student of various witchcraft and occult traditions since the early 2000s. Once the Events Manager at Magus Books and Herbs in Minneapolis, now a publicist at Llewellyn Worldwide, he likes to spend his time playing video games, hitting the gym, learning Polish, crafting and cooking, and reading the hundreds of books lining the walls of his apartment with his fiancé and their dog Marge.

Deep Green Witchcraft (Featured Guest!)

Helsinki Room

Witchcraft quite often involves working magic in accord with the tides of nature, the phases of the moon, the sun, the stars and the seasons. For some witches, this leaning into the curve of the natural world calls to a deeper need, one to build relationship on a very intimate level with the land they live on and the invisible world of spirits that live within it. In this presentation,

BIO: Dodie Graham McKay, author of ""Earth Magic"" will discuss ways to expand your practice and dive deeper into the green world.Dodie Graham McKay is a writer, green witch, and filmmaker. She is inspired to document and share stories that capture the beauty of nature and the visible and invisible realms of magic and witchcraft. She is the author of the books Earth Magic and A Witch’s Ally.

3:30-4:30 PM

Junk Journals - Ancestral Knowlege Preservation

Plymouth Room

Discussion of junk journals using found items, to create and document ancestral wisdom, such as stories, recipes, spells, family genealogy information. Participants will be able to create a page or two to get themselves started, and have guidance to keep going and finish their project. (There may be a $10 materials fee required at the time of the class).

BIO: Stacie Murphy is one of the creators and owners at Rock Solid Mamas, Kate Maurer is the owner of Lady of the Lake Silks, and a professor of English.

Intuitive Tarot Reading

Helsinki Room

Memorizing tarot card meanings from the guidebook will not make you an accurate tarot reader. If you try to memorize all 78+ card meanings, you’ll be left burnt out with very little practical skill in tarot reading. There’s a better way of reading tarot, and it involves a deeper understanding of the cards on a magical level: intuitive tarot reading.

BIO: Sara Rae is a manifesting coach, crystal reiki master, and professional tarot reader. She has been hosting the Spiritually Inspired podcast each week since 2020.

5:30-7 PM

Where Magic Meets Mental Health: Exploring Rituals and Meditation for Self-Healing

Plymouth Room

Join us for an experiential workshop that delves into the transformative potential of integrating meditation and ritual into your mental health journey. Discover how these time-honored practices can support your emotional and psychological well-being by offering structure, meaning, and calm. We'll cover the basics of meditation, introduce ritual as a therapeutic tool, and guide you in creating personalized practices tailored to your needs. Whether you're seeking new tools for your mental health toolkit or curious about the intersection of spirituality and psychology, this session offers valuable insights and hands-on practices to deepen your self-care routine. Participants are encouraged to engage at their own pace, with the freedom to step in or out of the workshop as they wish.

BIO: Allison Battles, PhD, LP, is a licensed clinical psychologist and the owner of BattleRobin Counseling. She specializes in trauma recovery, integrating tabletop role-playing games and empowered storytelling to facilitate healing and resilience.

Tom O'Bedlam Band

Viking Lounge

A presentation of original and traditional folk songs woven through with spirits, true stories of fictional places, and a singalong or two.

BIO: The Tom O'Bedlam emerged from the salt-rime crusting a street curb and grew to fit the shape of the shadow that first found his feet. Cursed by the sirens of Seward when he opens his mouth out spills a coal-edged baritone and lyrics deep as a Minnesota freeze.

Programming Schedule Sunday

Workshops, Rituals, Psychic Gallery, Labyrinth, Outdoor Programming, Entertainment and MORE!

ALL DAY 9AM-5PM

Labyrinth Walk

Outside

Take some time out to enjoy nature with an interactive labyrinth walk. Created by designer Suzi McNamara, customized for the Samhain Symposium

Quiet Corner

Viking Lounge (Near registration)

Need some alone time? Over stimulated? We got your pack. The quiet corner is a dim lit nook reversed for those who need a minute. With chairs, pillows and twinkle lights.

Selfie Wall

Next to registration table

No event is complete without a selfie wall! Pose in front of the autumn leaf quilt. Handmade by Lily's grandmother, shout out honoring ancestors!
Don't forget to tag #samhainsymposium

Vendor Room

Scandinavian Ballroom

Diverse assortment of artisan vendors, readers and healers.

9:30-11:00 AM

Thriving As a Witch With ADHD

Plymouth Room

For witches with ADHD, created by a witch with ADHD. We examine ways to build a thriving magickal practice even when you have difficulty focusing or finding yourself wanting to go down multiple rabbit holes to explore all the things. This workshop will include both mundane techniques as well as metaphysical tools to include in your practice.

BIO: Jessica Karels (The Mystic Geek, pronouns she/they) is a queer and neurospicy Spiritual Connection Mentor, skeptical manifestor, dumpster fire navigator, and host of the Spiritual AF Sundays podcast. They help people connect with their inner selves so they can cut through the hustle of life, heal themselves, and handle whatever the universe throws at them.

Astrological Boundaries and Numerology in 2024

Helsinki Room

Saturn is in Pisces during the Numerology 8 year of 2024. The election is timed during the Saturn retrograde period. Let's prepare ourselves and our boundaries for a rocking fall while Neptune and Saturn flirt, and we remind ourselves how to sustain what we have.

BIO: Clio Ajana follows the paths of Hellenic Alexandrian and Baltic Heathenry as author and archieria for the House of Our Lady of Celestial Fire, E.O.C.T.O. Her areas include prison ministry, death midwifery, and divination.

11:30 AM-1:00 PM

Witches and Animal Allies (Featured Guest!)

Helsinki Room

Witches throughout history have had relationships with animal allies, in physical and spirit forms. In this presentation, we will dive into the past and learn how this can help inform our modern witchcraft traditions and practices and how we can build constructive relationships with animal familiars, companions and pets.

BIO: Dodie Graham McKay is a writer, green witch, and filmmaker. She is inspired to document and share stories that capture the beauty of nature and the visible and invisible realms of magic and witchcraft. She is the author of the books Earth Magic and A Witch’s Ally.

Five Elements Meditation Journey

Plymouth Room

This guided meditation encourages participants to reflect on and connect to Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit through visualization and sound. From the heat in our bodies to the molten core of the earth and the distant surfaces of supergiant stars, or from the blood in our veins to the depths of the ocean to the primordial origin of life, we will explore the power and presence of each element as it exists in our bodies and as it exists in the world.

BIO: Madeline Johnson is a Saint Paul-based Anishinaabe writer, artist, and witch from Duluth, Minnesota. She has two black cats, several orbs (could use more).

1:30-3:00 PM

All Hallow’s: The History and Folklore of Halloween

Plymouth Room

Come sit for a spell as we dive into the fascinating and eerie history of Halloween! In this workshop, we will explore how pagan, Christian, and secular traditions have intertwined to create the holiday we love today. Along the way, we'll uncover the rich tapestry of folk customs and beliefs that have become integral to our end-of-October celebrations. Join us for an enchanting journey through the origins and evolution of Halloween, revealing the stories and traditions that make this season so magical.

BIO: Kelden (he/him) is a witch, folklorist, and mental health practitioner. He is the author of The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft, The Witches’ Sabbath: An Exploration of History, Folklore, and Modern Practice, and All The, Witches: Folktales & Rhymes. When not researching and writing, Kelden enjoys life in his tiny house in the woods, reading, hiking, growing poisonous herbs, and playing ukulele.

Queering the Runes

Helsinki Room

Norse mythology includes an incredible diversity of gender and sexual expression, but this has been largely excluded from books published on contemporary heathenry or runic divination. In recent years, rune readers have been reclaiming the feminine side of the runes, bringing nuance to the craft. In this talk, Siri will explore the queer qualities of the runes through understanding pre-Christian Nordic gender concepts, translating that through a simulation and simulacra, and carving from this root culture a modern future-facing divination system.

BIO: Siri Vincent Plouff is a Nordic witch, writer, and teacher. They are dedicated to creating space to learn about heathenry from an antiracist, queer perspective.

3:15-4:30 PM

Connecting to powerful Nature Beings and your Spirit Animal

Plymouth Room

A shamanic workshop that will leave you with a deeper connection to Mother Earth and all her magical natural beings, including your Spirit Animals. Participants will experience a direct connection to nature, trees, and plants as we dive deeper into understanding one of the oldest spirituality directly connected to nature. Leave with a deep healing and a profound understanding of how we, as stewards of Mother Earth, are also held in her loving arms.

BIO: Dr. Mary Newstrom is an internationally known Shamanic Teacher & Spiritual Wellness Guide, founder of Zenith High, and creator of Spirit Flow~ shamanic study programs. Mary strives to build a better world with her drive to bring shamanic teachings to all, in an easy-to-understand way that allows the concepts to be applied in the contemporary world.

Samhain Fire Ceremony

Outdoor Fire Pit (weather permitting)

Please join us as we burn an offering to honor the Gods, Ancestors, and Spirits of the land. Intentions for Saturday and offerings from the community altar will be included in the ritual. After a moment of silence we will toast and give libations to our past family and loved ones.

BIO: Northern Pagan Church is a small and growing community of families and individuals who follow an earth based or pagan path. We host discussions, classes, and events year round out of the home of Rev. Chad Kelly, in Saint Louis Park.