Sharon Collings Licata, MA

My path to becoming a shamanic practitioner is similar to the stories told by many others through the centuries. It began when I was struck with a serious and painful illness, which threatened total disability over time.

I am a sculptor, primarily stone, but also bronze, clay, and formed stone. It was vital to my teaching career for the Visiting Artist Program in the public schools of South Carolina (since 1993) as well as to my artistic endeavors that I regain my stamina and abilities.

Something remarkable resulted from my illness. The spirits forced me to slow down and make changes to introduce me to a larger purpose. The miracle was that the more I focused on what was being revealed to me through my growing shamanic practice, the more my physical strength returned.

Thus was my introduction to shamanic healing. I came to see the improvements from my illness as gifts from the helping spirits, which taught me another way to become whole and present in my life.

My academic career includes a BA in political science and art from Agnes Scott College, Georgia, summer studies at New York University, a Master of Media Arts from the University of South Carolina and education specialist course work from Georgia State University. I have attended numerous workshops and symposiums for further studies and served as a graduate assistant at USC while completing my Masters. Before going into the visual arts and teaching, I worked at Emory University Hospital, designing and producing patient and staff AV educational training materials.

I have been helping people shamanically for a number of years. My studies with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies include completing the FSS Harner Shamanic Counseling Training, the Two Week Shamanic Healing Intensive, and the Three Year Program of Advanced Initiations in Shamanism and Shamanic Healing. In addition, I’m an ordained minister with The Brigade of Light in Cedar Mountain, DC.

With the helping spirits, I provide shamanic healing services including: power animal retrieval, extraction, soul retrieval, divination, psychopomp and other healing practices, depending on the needs of the client. My experience allows me to work remotely, as well as in person, if required.

Since I am based in the midlands of South Carolina, my FSS workshops and healing sessions are accessible from anywhere in the state. In addition, I coordinate the local shamanic drumming circle twice a month.