219
DOI: 10.1201/9780429440939-22
19
The Systemic Constellations
Method Applied to Agriculture
Melissa Roussopoulos
Forgotten Connections
INTRODUCTION
Systemic Constellations is an experiential group methodology that reveals the usually invisible
dynamics of complex systems. This essay charts its evolution into a series of forms that have successfully provided insights and solutions in a range of professional fields. Most recently, it has been
applied to systems which include animals, plants and various components of ecosystems.
Research by the author is presented through case studies to illustrate this application and
explore the questions it raises, in particular whether the information that emerges is coming from
other- than-humans. The evidence strongly suggests that it is, and further case studies demonstrate
ways in which the method can be of value within agriculture.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE SYSTEMIC CONSTELLATIONS METHOD
The method was developed by Bert Hellinger in Germany to help clients resolve their personal
issues. He was trained in various Western therapeutic modalities and was also influenced by the
indigenous knowledge and understanding of the Zulu people, having spent 16 years among them in
South Africa ( Franke, 2003).
A trained facilitator ( the Constellator) would address a client’s issue in a workshop setting with a
group of people who were not related to the client. This process was called a ‘ Constellation’ and it
began with the Constellator interviewing the client to identify the individuals in the client’s family who
might be relevant to his/ her issue. The client would then choose individuals from the present group
to ‘ represent’ these family members. These ‘ representatives’ ( reps) were then intuitively positioned
by the client to stand in specific places in the room. From wherever they were placed, the reps would
describe what they felt in their bodies, their emotional state and their relationships with the other reps.
The author’s first experience as a rep was in 2000, when a client invited her to represent her sister.
She was positioned among five or six other reps, and then suddenly found herself intensely angry,
CONTENTS
Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 219
The Evolution of the Systemic Constellations Method ................................................................. 219
The Development of Nature Constellations ................................................................................... 220
Selected Case Studies to Explore the Method ............................................................................... 221
Reflections on Representative Perception ...................................................................................... 222
Reflections on Interspecies Communication .................................................................................. 223
Information from and about Ecosystems .......................................................................................224
Human Systems Interacting with Ecological Systems ................................................................... 225
General Reflections ........................................................................................................................ 226
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 227
References ...................................................................................................................................... 227
DOI: 10.1201/9780429440939-22
19
The Systemic Constellations
Method Applied to Agriculture
Melissa Roussopoulos
Forgotten Connections
INTRODUCTION
Systemic Constellations is an experiential group methodology that reveals the usually invisible
dynamics of complex systems. This essay charts its evolution into a series of forms that have successfully provided insights and solutions in a range of professional fields. Most recently, it has been
applied to systems which include animals, plants and various components of ecosystems.
Research by the author is presented through case studies to illustrate this application and
explore the questions it raises, in particular whether the information that emerges is coming from
other- than-humans. The evidence strongly suggests that it is, and further case studies demonstrate
ways in which the method can be of value within agriculture.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE SYSTEMIC CONSTELLATIONS METHOD
The method was developed by Bert Hellinger in Germany to help clients resolve their personal
issues. He was trained in various Western therapeutic modalities and was also influenced by the
indigenous knowledge and understanding of the Zulu people, having spent 16 years among them in
South Africa ( Franke, 2003).
A trained facilitator ( the Constellator) would address a client’s issue in a workshop setting with a
group of people who were not related to the client. This process was called a ‘ Constellation’ and it
began with the Constellator interviewing the client to identify the individuals in the client’s family who
might be relevant to his/ her issue. The client would then choose individuals from the present group
to ‘ represent’ these family members. These ‘ representatives’ ( reps) were then intuitively positioned
by the client to stand in specific places in the room. From wherever they were placed, the reps would
describe what they felt in their bodies, their emotional state and their relationships with the other reps.
The author’s first experience as a rep was in 2000, when a client invited her to represent her sister.
She was positioned among five or six other reps, and then suddenly found herself intensely angry,
CONTENTS
Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 219
The Evolution of the Systemic Constellations Method ................................................................. 219
The Development of Nature Constellations ................................................................................... 220
Selected Case Studies to Explore the Method ............................................................................... 221
Reflections on Representative Perception ...................................................................................... 222
Reflections on Interspecies Communication .................................................................................. 223
Information from and about Ecosystems .......................................................................................224
Human Systems Interacting with Ecological Systems ................................................................... 225
General Reflections ........................................................................................................................ 226
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 227
References ...................................................................................................................................... 227