Not to be confused with the characteristics that form Family Constellations, while inspired by Bert's practice Constellating includes the elements of  what makes Family Constellations a practice but are my interpretation of what Bert is conceiving  especially in his later iterations ; Movements of the Soul and Movements of the Spirit Mind.

Here are the key characteristics:

1. Relational Awareness – Understanding how elements (people, ideas, emotions) interact within a system.

2. Emergent Patterns – Seeing connections that may not be obvious at first but reveal deeper structures.

3. Non-Linear Dynamics – Recognizing that change happens in unpredictable ways rather than in a straight line.

4. Multiplicity of Perspectives – Holding multiple truths or emotional states at once.

5. Somatic Intelligence – Using bodily awareness and intuition to sense hidden dynamics.

6. Contextual Fluidity – Understanding that meaning shifts depending on environment and relationships.

7. Depth Over Fixation – Engaging with complexity rather than seeking quick solutions.

8. Field Sensitivity – Sensing the "unseen" forces shaping behavior and interactions.

9. Temporal Awareness – Recognizing the influence of past, present, and future in shaping experiences.

10. Systemic Coherence – Aligning individuals or ideas in a way that supports overall harmony and transformation.

Rooted in the pioneering work of Bert Hellinger, Family Constellations is a groundbreaking, solution-focused experiential process. Using the body's innate wisdom, this approach uncovers and addresses the impact of familial, social, and global influences on the family system.  

Over time, Systemic Constellations emerged as a broader variation, expanding this practice to explore and resolve patterns within wider systems, such as organizations, communities, and cultural dynamics.  

Movements of the Soul delves into the body’s innate wisdom, moving beyond the brain’s logic to what is often described as a "gut feeling." 

The soul expands, opening a path to explore not only the family system but also the generations that came before us. It reflects Hellinger’s vision of greater openness and a more comprehensive connection to ancestral influences.  

Family Constellation Therapy (FCT) has been gaining recognition for its benefits in mental health, with emerging research supporting its effectiveness in reducing psycho-pathological symptoms and improving well-being.

Developed by Bert Hellinger, a former Catholic priest, teacher, philosopher, and psychotherapist, FCT is rooted in systemic family dynamics. Hellinger’s insights were influenced by his time with the Zulu people, who demonstrated a strong sense of place, connection, and belonging. He integrated these learnings with psychotherapeutic methods to create a process that helps individuals reconnect with their roots and heal generational wounds.

Hellinger’s approach acknowledges that trauma, loyalties, and entanglements are passed through generations—an idea now supported by epigenetics. Traditional therapy often isolates individuals from their familial and cultural contexts, whereas FCT recognizes the profound influence of ancestral relationships on mental and emotional well-being.

The method involves selecting group members to represent key figures in a person’s family system, placing them spatially in a room, and observing the emerging dynamics. Participants often experience sensations or emotions linked to the original family members, uncovering subconscious patterns and unresolved trauma. Through guided facilitation, these dynamics can be acknowledged and shifted, restoring balance and allowing love to flow more freely within the system.

FCT challenges conventional psychotherapy by addressing relational and systemic roots of suffering rather than solely focusing on the individual. Its experiential nature requires practitioners to engage deeply, beyond intellectual understanding, fostering profound shifts in perception and emotional health.

Despite skepticism, FCT continues to gain credibility, with studies indicating its effectiveness in mental health treatment. As scientific support grows, its potential to complement mainstream therapeutic practices becomes increasingly evident, offering a transformative tool for personal and collective healing.

Hellinger’s Movements of the Spirit-Mind (or Movements of the Spirit) refer to a deep, intuitive, and often inexplicable force that guides systemic constellations beyond personal will or understanding. Bert Hellinger, the founder of Family Constellations, described these movements as arising from a level of consciousness that is not individual but rather systemic, ancestral, and even spiritual in nature.

Hellinger’s Movements of the Spirit-Mind: Key Aspects

1. Beyond Personal Will – These movements arise naturally, not from conscious effort or intention. They unfold when individuals surrender to a deeper systemic intelligence.

2. Ancestral & Collective Guidance – The force behind these movements extends beyond personal experience, drawing from ancestral and collective wisdom to bring hidden dynamics to light.

3. Unpredictable & Organic – Unlike structured interventions, these movements emerge spontaneously in the body, often through shifts in posture, emotions, or silent knowing.

4. Restoring Flow & Belonging – They work to reintegrate what has been excluded, acknowledging unspoken truths to restore balance in relationships and systems.

5. Aligned with a Greater Order – These movements follow the Orders of Love, an unseen yet powerful structure that governs harmony within families and communities.

6. Felt-Sense & Embodied – Understanding comes not through analysis but through direct experience in the body, revealing truths that words alone cannot reach.

Hellinger described these movements as the deepest level of systemic work, beyond problem-solving or personal healing. When someone steps into this space, they might feel an invisible pull toward certain movements or sensations, as if being guided by something greater. There is no forcing, no analyzing—just allowing. The impact can be profound, bringing insights that bypass the mind and directly touch the soul.

How They Differ from Regular Constellation Work:

Traditional Family Constellations involve representatives acting out family dynamics, often guided by facilitators. In contrast, Movements of the Spirit-Mind are more free-flowing, occurring when facilitators and participants step aside from active interpretation and allow the field to reveal its own resolutions. It is less about problem-solving and more about witnessing what emerges in a state of deep trust.

Constellating helps us recognizing the invisible dynamics—ancestral patterns, unspoken traumas, and relational imbalances. These unseen forces disrupt connectivity, keeping you trapped in disconnection or superficial interactions. We want to be connected and connectivity is the capacity to have connection. When we discover the entanglements through the family system, we repair the capacity for connectivity.

revealing the hidden dynamics that connect your past, present, viewpoint and vision that give you a sense of freedom

Rooted in the pioneering work of Bert Hellinger, Family Constellations is a groundbreaking, solution-focused experiential process. Using the body's innate wisdom, this approach uncovers and addresses the impact of familial, social, and global influences on the family system.  

Over time, Systemic Constellations emerged as a broader variation, expanding this practice to explore and resolve patterns within wider systems, such as organizations, communities, and cultural dynamics.  

For those interested in exploring the theoretical foundations and applications of family constellations, psychologist Wilfried Nelles offers comprehensive insights. His work delves into the development of human consciousness and the stages of life, providing a framework for understanding how systemic dynamics influence individual experiences. 

Additionally, Dr. Karl-Heinz Rauscher, a medical doctor and systemic constellator, has developed the Symptom-Constellation approach. This method extends traditional family constellations to address personal traumas and unresolved issues from previous incarnations, offering a holistic perspective on healing. 

Research has also explored the application of family constellations in supporting individuals experiencing PTSD. Studies suggest that this approach can help uncover and address transgenerational trauma, providing pathways for healing and integration. For a comprehensive review of such research, the article "Family Constellations: An Innovative Systemic Phenomenological Group Process From Germany" offers valuable insights.