Tending to our frayed parts and embroidering them back together: An Interview with alchemist Denise Cicuto.

photo credit: Chloe Jackman photography

What is your name and what kind of healing work do you do?

I’m Denise Cicuto, Licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist, and Alchemist.

How old were you when you discovered your interest in healing arts.

I was in my late 20’s when I became interested in acupuncture. I had dabbled in Western herbalism, mostly through self-study. My journey to acupuncture school started because acupuncture changed my life. I had endometriosis and was in a lot of pain. A friend was in acupuncture school in the Boston area. I tried it and got so much better. It gave me my life back. I was inspired to give something back to the world.

What was your journey to get to where you are today?

I decided to go to school in California because studying Chinese herbs is required for your license. I knew I needed the school structure to learn herbs. I only applied to one school because my qigong teacher in Boston had books in his office by Hua-Ching Ni, who was the father of the founders of the school I went to - Yo San University. I took that as a sign. After acupuncture school in Los Angeles, we moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and I started my practice.

“I tried (acupuncture) and got so much better. It gave me my life back. I was inspired to give something back to the world.”

photo credit: Chloe Jackman

  Do you have any special or unusual skills or abilities that you use in your work?

Yes. I have studied with Lorie Dechar and Benjamin Fox since 2016, learning alchemical healing. Working with them has encouraged me to use art and archetypes, essential oils, flower essences, healing sounds, qigong, astrology, and sometimes oracle or tarot cards. I made an oracle deck with poems dedicated to and inspired by Kuan Yin paired with my photographs. I use that as another way for patients to relay to me what’s going on in their spirit and emotional worlds.

I’m also a third degree pagan priest in the Open Source Alexandrian tradition. I use those skills specifically for Spirit Babies ceremonies I lead for people who have experienced pregnancy loss.

“I’m also a third degree pagan priest in the Open Source Alexandrian tradition. I use those skills specifically for Spirit Babies ceremonies I lead for people who have experienced pregnancy loss.” - Denise Cicuto

Flower Dance. photograph by Denise Cicuto

Have you ever felt ashamed, embarrassed or like you have to hide parts of yourself?

I’m pretty open and proud of who I am. I’m open about being bisexual, polyamorous, and pagan. I am even open about being a trauma survivor

“I’m pretty open and proud of who I am. I’m open about being bisexual, polyamorous, and pagan. I am even open about being a trauma survivor.”

- Denise Cicuto

Photo credit: Chloe Jackman

What are some of the biggest challenges you have experienced in your capacity as a healer?

Having good boundaries as a healer has sometimes been a challenge. I have COVID safety protocols and my patients honor them. I have also established clear work hours and my email signature states I only respond between certain hours Sunday through Thursday and Fridays and Saturdays are my days off away from my devices. Rest is important and I try to model that.

What are some of the greatest gifts or rewards in your capacity as a healer?

The greatest gift is helping someone on their healing journey. Everyone’s journey is different. Sometimes that looks like someone telling me they’re pregnant; or someone is moving through grief; or that they have better range of motion after acupuncture. 

Echo Crater and Frying Pan Lake. Photo by Denise Cicuto

How do you stay connected to your intuition?

Through meditation, inner sensing, talking/praying to my deities, taking photographs, and writing.

How do you stay grounded?

I have several ways including meditation, going for walks or bike rides, doing yoga, using essential oils, taking herbs, embroidering, and photographing.

What is your personal definition of healing?

Healing is tending to our frayed parts and embroidering them together to make us whole.

“Healing is tending to our frayed parts and embroidering them together to make us whole.” - Denise Cicuto

Milford Sound Waterfall. Photo by Denise Cicuto

How can people work with you? Is there anything else that you’d like to share?

They can contact me through my acupuncture website: https://www.cicutoacupuncture.com/

If they are interested in my photography or my Kuan Yin Oracle deck, they can go to: https://www.denisecicuto.com/

Shadows. Photo by Denise Cicuto