The Power of ‘The Field’ in Family Constellations

I first came across Family Constellations work way back in 2007. I was amazed to experience ‘The Field’. The Field is the name we give to the space where Constellations are held. Stepping into the Field as a representative for another was an incredibly powerful experience for me. I turned to Family Constellations when other things I had tried were not helping me to resolve long term issues. This is where Constellations comes into its own, viewing you within the systems that you belong to, that you are impacted by, that you give loyalty too, often unconsciously. Secrets, unresolved trauma, and unconscious loyalties can result in entanglements within the Family. The work of Family Constellations is to free you from the damaging patterns, behaviours, and emotions that you have unconsciously taken on from your family. 

I began my training as a Family Constellations Facilitator in 2020 and one of the first exercises we did was to draw a Constellation of our family. I included my parents, my five brothers, my sister, some significant others; and I drew an extra person. I did not know who this person was, but I knew they belonged in the family. I asked my teachers about it, and they said I would probably find out who they were as our course progressed.  The teacher suggested it could perhaps be an ancestor with a message for me.

By the end of that year, I had found out that I had another brother. A brother that had been kept a secret from me and my 6 other siblings. An older half-brother. What I felt on realising this was true, that he really existed (initially I could not believe it), was an almost overwhelming mix of deep shock and huge relief. So many things fell into place. I remember at once shaking with shock in the garden and simultaneously feeling a deep visceral sense of relief washing through me.  We were in Lockdown, and I was on a call with my Constellations Tutor, and I had just seen a photograph of my as yet unmet brother.

Of course, not all families hold such huge secrets (although many do), but it is often true that at some level we know more than we are consciously aware of. A large part of Constellations work is to include the excluded and give everyone their place, so as to allow healing. 

If you are drawn to exploring Family Constellations, I will be offering bi-monthly workshops in Cardiff throughout 2025, starting on 25th January at Cardiff Yoga Studio, Roath.  You can find out more here. Sêr Cariad Family Constellations · Dandelion