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Editorial by Barbara Morgan
For the first time in many years, we have no article written by Bert Hellinger. I understand he had a car accident recently, but the latest news is that he is fine! It’s been interesting for me to realise how integral Bert and his support have been to this journal over the years—and how accustomed I’ve become to including his contributions.
However, I am delighted to say that in his place, we have a fascinating piece sent in by Sophie Hellinger. It comes from Judge Sami Storch of the State Court in Bahia, Brazil, who has been applying constellation work successfully within the judicial system. It’s a powerful read that holds great promise for the future of legal practice if adopted more widely.
Our In the Spotlight feature this time includes Diana Douglas—now a regular contributor—interviewing Hence Ganti from Hungary. He shares his experience of facilitating a very large group constellation focused on the socio-political situation in Europe. His reflections on holding a large group while simultaneously attending to individual processes offer both practical insight and philosophical depth—not an easy task!
As always, I’m pleased to include another of Sarah Peyton’s Bernried talks. This one, delivered in May, explores the subject of microchimerism—a new word to me. It refers to the transfer of foetal cells into the mother’s body, where they can remain and even help repair damage. Sarah places this biological phenomenon within the context of Hellinger’s principle of balance in giving and taking.
She also explores how, as pre-natal beings, we may carry an awareness of who came before us in our mother’s womb—be it siblings, miscarriages, or abortions. This raises poignant questions around IVF, surrogacy, and their long-term effects—topics that are often too complex and sensitive to speak about easily.
Sarah goes further, discussing how the range of emotional expression available to a mother or primary caregiver can limit the infant’s development. This has serious implications for those of us working across cultures, where dominant emotional norms may differ from our own.
Also in this section is a beautiful piece by Jeffrey Rich, who explores the integration of Shamanism and constellation work. He describes how including constellations in his soul retrieval work has deepened his practice and expanded what becomes possible for clients.
We’ve unintentionally found a theme in our Personal Reflections section: the stance of the facilitator.
John Waite opens with a strong critique of Hellinger’s views on gender and equality. He also challenges the gap between the stated phenomenological basis of the work and the written ‘orders’ that seem to pre-empt or shape experience. Can we ever be truly free of our own bias?
Leslie Nipps continues this thread, also questioning the feasibility of complete phenomenological neutrality. She shares her own set of values and invites us to reflect honestly on ours, encouraging us to stay alert to our blindspots.
Sneh Victoria Schnabel offers another approach entirely, drawing from her keynote at the 6th Constellations Conference in San Diego (November 2015). She speaks to the power of ‘not-knowing’ and using the field itself as a guide. Her invitation is to trust in this space and let it shape what emerges.
The final article in this series is from Ty Francis, who brings the lens of a coach and organisational consultant. He encourages us to “become ourselves” as facilitators, to bring love into the client relationship—without slipping into the rescuer role that ultimately weakens rather than empowers.
We are pleased to include another case study from Judith Hemming, reported by David Presswell. This one looks at the long-term effects of emigration. It considers how turning our backs on our homeland can affect our integration into new communities. Even when return isn’t practical, honouring our origins and weaving them into our current lives may be essential to our peace and well-being.
Bill Mannle contributes a moving reminder of the value of ritual in healing. In working with a young woman who had an abortion, a ritual involving all the women present offered profound support to her soul.
We also revisit the large group format with Anngwyn St. Just and Karl-Heinz Rauscher. Their constellation on Men, Women and Peace was presented at the Congress for Systemic Intelligence in Mexico City (May 2016). With both authors carrying lineages shaped by war—Anngwyn from the USA and Karl-Heinz from Germany—their facilitation had a depth born of personal and ancestral history. The constellation was done blind, and the outcomes were both surprising and, for some, disturbing. They end their article with practical exercises for finding inner peace, peace in relationships, and peace in the world.
Jen Altman once again delights with her reviews of exhibitions, films, and books that offer fresh perspectives aligned with constellation work. This time, she explores an artist’s engagement with the story of her excluded aunt, and the ripple effects of this loss through generations. It’s a touching piece that invites the reader into deep reflection.
Our final section includes heartfelt reports from the ISCA Gathering. There is widespread appreciation for the courage and dedication shown by Chairman Max Dauskardt and the Organising Committee, led by his wife Alemka. After a difficult year and the near collapse of the organisation, this conference was a powerful moment of reconnection.
Despite the challenges, they succeeded in amending the Charter to reinstate Bert Hellinger in his rightful place as Founder. By the end, participants had not only come together but had found a way to celebrate. Congratulations to Max, Alemka, and all who made this possible!
We are grateful to Jamie Hasenfuss for contributing his poem “Voices.” Jamie explores the power of the superego, and how we might shift from being ruled by it to including it. His words offer a gentle, soulful reminder of how we might navigate the internalised messages of childhood with more compassion.
I end on a sad note, with dedications to two beloved members of the constellations community who have recently passed away.
Donald Pogue—friend and colleague—was a regular at the Bernried Intensive in Germany. I have many tender memories of times shared with him and his wife Susan in that beautiful venue.
Michael Blumenstein, who died just two weeks later, was less well-known to me personally, but both men leave behind a significant legacy. They will be deeply missed.
With so much turbulence in the world, we enter 2017 on uncertain ground. Yet times of instability often provoke powerful transformation. Within the constellations field, I sense that our work has never been more needed.
Let us continue with humility, with grounded feet and honest hearts, remembering our limits and our place in the greater whole.
Wishing you all a New Year full of joyful surprises, nourishing connections, and moments of deep peace in this extraordinary world we share.
Barbara Morgan
Editor
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