Celtic Spirituality In Cincinnati

Druidry gets misunderstood fast, so we wanted a clear, local, human conversation that cuts through the myths. I’m joined by Shaina Huy from Raven Heart Hearth, a nonprofit religious group dedicated to Celtic spirituality in the Cincinnati area, and we talk about what their community actually looks like day to day: public meetups, group ritual, and online discussions designed for real people, not perfect experts. If you’ve ever felt curious about nature-based spirituality but worried you wouldn’t “fit,” Shaina explains why their approach is inclusive, low-pressure, and open to honest questions. 

We also dig into how Raven Heart Hearth formed as a seed group of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD), and how a simple online conversation turned into neighbors finding each other a couple blocks apart. From there, the group grew, merged with another local Celtic spirituality group, and kept expanding its community presence. Along the way, Shaina shares the biggest misconceptions they run into, especially the idea that Druidry is closed off or dogmatic, and what they do instead to keep the door open to anyone who wants to learn. 

Community service and events are a major part of the story. We talk about the Daghda’s Cauldron annual food drive, plus upcoming ways to connect in person, including the Pagan Pride Picnic in Mount Airy on Saturday, September 12 from noon to 7 p.m. Shaina also shares details about taking over the Cincinnati Witches Ball on October 24 at the Leap and Lizard in Covington, along with where to find tickets and updates online. 

If you enjoy discovering local Cincinnati organizations, inclusive spiritual communities, and the people behind them, listen all the way through and then share it with a friend. Subscribe for more neighbor stories, leave a review, and tell us what you want to learn about Celtic spirituality or Druidry next.

Transcript

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Welcome To Good Neighbor Podcast

SPEAKER_00 0:01

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Deborah Coviello.

SPEAKER_02 0:13

And welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast Live. Are

Introducing Raven Heart Hearth

SPEAKER_02 0:18

you in need of a Celtic spirituality organization? One might be closer than you think. Today I have the pleasure of introducing your good neighbor, Shana High, with Raven Heart Hearth. How's it going today?

SPEAKER_01 0:37

Good, good. Um, having a pretty good day.

SPEAKER_02 0:40

Excellent. And we're excited to learn all about you and your business. So tell us a little bit more about Raven Heart Hearth.

What The Group Offers

SPEAKER_01 0:50

So Raven Heart Hearth is a nonprofit religious group dedicated to Celtic spirituality. Um we are what's known as a seed group of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, or Obad, which is a nature-based spiritual organization based in England. Um we host public meetups, group ritual, online discussions, and more than that. Um, we also hold an annual food drive called the Dogda's Cauldron, named after an Irish god whose cauldron never runs empty. And for the first time this year, we are taking over the Cincinnati Witches Ball, which will be on October 24th at the Leap and Lizard in Covington. Oh, that is amazing.

SPEAKER_02 1:37

And how did you get into this uh this particular organization?

How The Community Began

SPEAKER_01 1:42

So, Brian, the other co-founder and I, um, we were in an online discussion about Celtic spirituality. We realized we lived about a couple blocks away from each other. We were both dedicated to the same goddess, and we were both looking into Obod around the same time. Um, so we started the group, others joined us. A couple years later, we merged with another local C group that it started about when we did called Wisewood. And now here we are.

SPEAKER_02 2:12

Oh, that's absolutely amazing. Now, again, our folks may not know that much about the organisation. What might be some myths or evidence about this uh this group?

Myths About Druidry

SPEAKER_01 2:26

Um I'm sorry, it it dropped off for a second.

SPEAKER_02 2:29

It might be some myths or misconceptions, because we want to make sure your target audience understands. So any misconceptions or myths about this particular group?

SPEAKER_01 2:39

Oh, well, uh, we may focus on Celtic spirituality, but we welcome anyone from any path. So Druidry is inclusive. Uh, there's no dogma. So um anyone interested or in any way, or if you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

SPEAKER_02 2:54

Now I know reaching out to your target audience and marketing this wonderful organization is the heart of

Who They Serve And Outreach

SPEAKER_02 3:01

every uh every group. I'm I'm curious who are your target members and how do you attract them?

SPEAKER_01 3:07

Um, really anyone. Um we hold events uh throughout the year. Um, like I said, our rituals. Um we do vend at local events, like uh our last event was Pride. Um we will be vending at Dayton Pagan Pride in October. Um and just like I said, hosting events. We have a picnic coming up in September. Um, we're also on Facebook. We have um online meetups and stuff like that. So uh anyone that wants to come see us uh can do it that way.

SPEAKER_02 3:45

Well, so you certainly do have a good outreach and and marketing base, but just curious have you ever guys thought about doing

A Podcast Idea And Personal Hobbies

SPEAKER_02 3:52

a podcast?

SPEAKER_01 3:53

Um no, actually. We are uh I I might bring that up to everyone, see how that goes.

SPEAKER_02 4:01

Okay, so um, but here's the thing though. So people relate to people, and I really appreciate what the organization does. But for yourself, outside of this organization, what do you do for fun?

SPEAKER_01 4:13

Um, so I actually do practice my spirituality for fun. I I do enjoy doing it. Um, but aside from that, I like to play video games, read, uh crochet. I like to spend time outdoors, um, spend time with my partner, our cats, and my friends.

SPEAKER_02 4:30

Oh, you sing to my heart. I actually crochet. This is the first time that somebody has ever mentioned that. Uh I love to read as well.

What To Remember Most

SPEAKER_02 4:37

Yeah, there's not many people like us anymore. Yeah. Um, yeah. So um, you know, as we think about um, you know, speaking to your target uh neighbor in person that you want to meet, um, Shana, um, what would you like people to really remember about Raven's Hard Hearth?

SPEAKER_01 4:55

Um like I said, we're accepting of pretty much everybody. Um we accept any questions, um, even hard questions. Um if you are even just a little bit interested in Druidry or Celtic spirituality, um anything like that, we welcome those questions. Um we're a pretty tight-knit group and we're always accepting more people. So um yeah. Okay.

SPEAKER_02 5:28

Well, that's wonderful. And I know that um, you know, when this goes out

How To Connect And Upcoming Events

SPEAKER_02 5:32

and you share it, others are going to be listening. But most importantly, for those that are curious and want to learn more, how can listeners or viewers learn more about Raven Heart Hearth?

SPEAKER_01 5:43

So we have a website, it's ravenhearthearth.com. Um, we're also on Facebook and Discord. Our Discord's a little bit less active, but we're Ravenheart Hearth pretty much everywhere. Um, I believe we have an Instagram as well. Um, I I didn't mention that in my notes, but I believe we have an Instagram. I I'm not certain how active it is because I haven't managed that one. Um like I said, our next event is the Pagan Pride Picnic. It's in Mount Airie on Saturday, September 12th from noon to 7 p.m. Um, more information is available on our website and our Facebook event. Um, if you look it up, uh Pagan Pride Picnic, the one Mount Air in Cincinnati is going to be the one. And uh, for more information on the Witches Ball and for tickets, the website is Cincy C-I-N-C-Y Witchesball.com. Or if you search Cincy Witches Ball, it'll come up.

unknown 6:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 6:38

Okay, wonderful. Well, I just want to say, Shana, I really appreciate you being on the show. We want to wish you and your organization, all the members, the best moving forward.

SPEAKER_01 6:50

Thank you. I appreciate um had the time on the show. I appreciate uh being here. Thank

Closing And Nomination Info

SPEAKER_01 6:57

you.

SPEAKER_00 6:57

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpsincennati.com. That's gnpsincennati.com or call 513 878 0987.