Meet the Owner of Ritual + Shelter, a Homewood Shop That's All About Healing
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After finding relief from pain and trauma in the metaphysical, Jennifer Dorfman has been helping others through holistic and mystical modalities ever since. In 2020, she opened Ritual + Shelter as a haven for all things magickal in Birmingham.
In addition to running her shop, Jennifer is a certified Death Doula, Reiki Master Teacher, Brainspotting Practitioner, and EFT Tapping Coach. For her, spirituality is about expansion, connection, and healing.
Get to know this week's FACE of Birmingham!
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Where are you from originally, and what brought you to Birmingham?
I grew up in Winchester, VA, and earned my BA in English from Campbell University. I spent a decade living in the Raleigh, NC area and mostly worked in retail management, although I never really thought of it as a 'real' job at the time. In 2010, I followed my heart and intuition and made the move to Birmingham.
It was here that I met and married my incredible husband and became a stepmom to two amazing stepdaughters. Despite building a beautiful family, I found myself struggling to 'find my tribe.' I didn't feel like I fit in anywhere, and for a long time, I couldn't figure out why.
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How did you find your way to holistic healing and the metaphysical?
It's hard to put into words because it was such a complex, transformative journey. Like most people around me, I grew up in the church. But the more I read my Bible and attended services, the more I noticed a disconnect between the teachings of kindness and how the church treated diversity. I knew there had to be a better way — one that didn't hurt others or myself.
One night, I was meditating — sort of praying, too, though by then I was somewhere between agnostic and atheist. I asked, 'Who or what is out there? I need help!' And I got the most profound answer: a voice, just outside my right ear, said, 'It's been you all this time.'
Around that same time, I had started clearing overgrown vines from our land and could hear the trees thanking me. It made me feel dizzy with wonder. Then I tried Reiki for back pain, not even knowing what it was. That first session blew my mind.
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Can you say more about the 'magickal' side of your work?
Magic is such an expansive word — it can mean so many things. But unfortunately, pop culture has warped our perception of it. When most people hear 'magic,' they think of superpowers, hexes, or flying broomsticks. But actual magic? I think it's just a phenomenon that science hasn't explained yet.
How has Birmingham responded to your shop and work?
When I opened Ritual + Shelter in 2020, I had already owned my retail shop, Domicile, for five years. I'd slowly been adding tarot and oracle decks, crystals, and oddities to my inventory. When the pandemic hit, and we had to shut down temporarily, it was my metaphysical customers who kept me afloat. I was floored by their support!
When the shop next to mine closed, I saw a perfect opportunity to expand — and Ritual + Shelter was born. Aside from a few isolated situations, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Birmingham has a huge spiritual community. I love saying we really are 'The Magic City'—not just in name, but in spirit. Every age, ethnicity, and gender walks through our doors, and all are welcome.
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What is one thing you wish everyone knew about witchcraft?
A huge misconception is that witches worship Satan. That's just not true. Yes, some people worship Satan, just like some people worship just about anything. But historically, the people accused of witchcraft were often healers, herbalists, midwives, spiritual leaders, and overwhelmingly, women.
To me, a witch is someone who has reclaimed their own power. Someone who makes up their own mind. Someone who understands light and dark, respects the Earth, and understands the nature of energy.
For newbies interested in exploring the mystical, metaphysical, and magickal, how do you recommend getting started?
I try to represent a wide range of paths in my shop, so I recommend stopping by and seeing what resonates. Everyone's path looks different. For me, it led into healing. I've trained in sound bowls, guided meditation, crystal healing, trauma-informed coaching, and end-of-life care. I also taught myself tarot and a bit of astrology.
Others may be drawn to herbalism, yoga, ritual, or self-transformation through ceremony. I always say that finding witchcraft and spirituality felt like opening a door to the universe.
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What do you like to do when you're not working?
I'm usually hanging with my husband, meditating, or grounding. Because Ritual + Shelter is a sanctuary, many clients come in carrying really heavy trauma — things they feel even their therapist might not understand. I love helping people heal, but I have to be diligent about letting go of that energy at the end of the day. Meditation and grounding are essential for me.
I also love reading and interior design. The store never looks the same twice — we're always reimagining the space.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
My stepdaughters are such an inspiration. They've both finished undergrad and are heading into grad school. They're kind, funny, and incredibly driven. They're going to do amazing things for this world, and I'm so grateful to be part of their lives.
I'm also rewatching Love on the Spectrum and listening to The Telepathy Tapes podcast, which explores autism and telepathy. That's magic to me — just explained through neuroscience. I was just recently diagnosed with autism myself, at 45, and that realization has helped me understand so much more about my own gifts. It's also something I see reflected in many of my clients.
What is your best piece of advice?
Be authentically yourself. Be weird. Be strange. Love what you love.
Aside from faith, family, and friends, name three things you can't live without.
A luxurious bath, my giant fluorite crystal from Tucson, and P.F. Candle Co.'s Piñon scent.
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Birmingham women are doing inspiring work. Meet more of them over at our FACES archives!
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