The Art of Mini-Constellations

Some constellation setups that I describe here have been collected by me over the years of studying family constellations with various masters. I use them in my constellation workshops, private sessions, for myself and during practise groups with my colleagues.

This work is still in progress, and more mini-constellations and rituals will be added. Doing it for myself, I found it’s convenient to have them on hand in one place very quickly.

➜ RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF, YOUR POTENTIAL

CONSTELLATION’S CONFIGURATION	MY NOTICE
2 people: The 1st one represents this Feeling, The 2nd – the person represents himself. The 1st Rep says the words to the 2nd person: Please hold me. Then the 2nd person looks at the 1st rep (his feeling) and says: I hold you.	FEELING. If there is one feeling that you have been running away from all your life, then what is that feeling? (I’m afraid that I won’t come back) This is important to know. Since this feeling will come to work and appear in the client.
3 people: a client, his mother, food (what was forced or forbidden)	FOOD. What gave my mother when she fed me (name). When the constellation set up, Reps share what they feel, how they connect with each other.
Person A – a client, Person B – the part of A that knows about A’s desires but doesn’t speak about them.	DESIRE. The Facilitator ask a question: Where would B be in this room? Then B can describe her experience. Often, this leads to new self-discoveries that can help A take another step forward.
The group of 3. The 1st person tells the most terrible story that happened in his family, the other two persons just listen the 1st person and tell nothing. After 4 min switch back	STORIES. 4 min for each person. After such sharing the power of terrible stories lessens.
The group of 3. The 1st person tells the most funny story that happened in his family, the other two persons just listen the 1st person and tell nothing. After 4 min switch back	STORIES. 4 min for each person. We rarely give a place for good stories. Sometimes it’s hard to find funny stories.
Two-person. One person takes two sheets of paper. One sheet – bad stories, the other sheet – good stories. He puts the sheets on the floor and stands between them and begins to move slowly between the sheets noticing what comes up. The other person holds the space.	STORIES.
Figures: A – a Client or a Rep for the Client, B- a part of the client’s System, that draws the client’s attention to itself C – What the client’s gained to belong to the system, D – The client’s original potential that was left unfulfilled when the client got sucked into the system.	POTENTIAL.
Figures: a client and his potential	POTENTIAL. Here are two questions: Can the client see how much potential there is? Can the client see if the potential is blocked or not? Can the client notice what is happening to him, can they look into each other’s eyes, does the client want to run away or come closer?
Figures: A – a Client, B – His system (team, work, couple) C – How much potential there (Intuitively observes how much potential is realized) D – How much potential can ‘flow,’ be expressed, and whether this is even possible flow, E – The reason that holds back unused potential (connect with one good reason why the unused potential is not flowing) C, D,E looking internally at unused potential say answer in one sentence without any thoughts of using unused potential: What would start if unused potential unleashed	SEEING POTENTIAL Here Facilitator can combine the previous setting with this one to go step by step and explore this topic in a more profound way
Figures: A – a Client, B – What he’s struggling with (his difficult situation) C – his reaction on B D – Former situation in the past that connected to B E – Something from the future that might be become possible (25 min, 5 min for each person)	POTENTIAL. (1) A look at B (2) A look at C (3) A look at D and say Yes, you were there (4) A look with kind eyes at C and say “I start to understand you” (5) A look at B and say: “You are only situation” (6) A look at E and notice what the quality or essences E represents. No need to understand.
Figures: A – a Client, B – His main pattern C – that part of original he left behind when he was taken into the system D (optional) – what I gained to belong to my system (pattern) (10 min, 3 min for each person)	POTENTIAL. In the group of three. It is useful when participants fell tied in the Constellations Circle. (1) A look at B no need to name this pattern How A relate to B? Could A feel any gratitude that My pattern gave me? (2) A look at C and after a few minutes just check weather A is ready to take C inside or not. Do I want to reconnect with C? How would it be if A take C inside? Client can take a symbol of this part. Preferable way of doing this exs is in silence. But A can ask C about qualities.
Figures: A- a client B – Symptom or his issue C – The internal part supports for change D – The internal part against change	INTERNAL PARTS We may add: – the client’s body – Hidden resources – Other entities
Figures: A – My inner child B – My adult part C – What I’ve learned	WORK WITH INNER CHILD
Figures: A – a client B – what a client fights with	YOU & YOUR ISSUE A says to B: Yes, you exist. You have a place.
Figures: A – a client B – his fear C – The client’s purpose D – Pressure	FEAR Notice what kind relationship a client has with his body.
Figures: A – Giver B – Receiver	INTUITION B imagine that both A and B into the buble, A think about his request,but no need to talk about it. A can close his eyes. (2-3 min) B just open what happens to him. Thoughts, ideas, feelings, sensations, but don’t try to understand. After 2-3 minutes B can share what came in during this practice. A can also share how B’s sharing is connected to A’s request.
(1) – Connect to your company – What is your company doing? (No need to speak loudly) – Where is your focus if there are more directions? – In doing what your company is doing what are you for the clients? Are you providing me to help me….. (2) A – a client B – Rep for Society or patients or clients B asks A: What are you for me? What more are you? B needs to pay attention how words from A are landed. 1-4 principles. Than you need to order them. (3) C – Rep for the 1st leading principle. D Rep for the 2 nd principle… Order them (4) Проверить верны ли наши принципы с той работой которую мы делаем? Where they come from? И что за дары у нас есть, которые жизнь хочет использовать?	LEADING PRINCIPLES Это не миссия. Если она сконструирована, то затрачивается очень много энергии. Принципы уже есть в системе. Их нужно вывести в осознание.
Рисуется линия. Первая точка – начало практики (Virgin point) Затем события значимые (events). Два типа: Burden and Lost Последняя точка Now. Из Now мы можем посмотреть на все другими глазами. Можно на все позиции использовать якоря либо людей.	TIME LINE Burden – отпускать ответственность всегда тяжело. Мы не знаем, подберет ее кто-нибудь или нет. Здесь задача отдать не свою ответственность и вынести возможно вину. Lost – Обратить внимание: что вы потеряли и чтобы вы хотели вернуть обратно. Здесь могут быть утраченные способности, таланты. И если мы хотим что-то вернуть, то важно так же знать, что любое утраченное что-то изменит в будущем. Преимущества практики: (1) Интеграция самих событий (2) Возвращение потерянных талантов и способностей (3) Отпускание не своей ответственности (4) Точка Now может содержать много надежд, которые относятся к прошлому. Not evoke kinds of hopes that are illusions.
Is there room for deconstruction?	Unused Potential. Something new needs space. Something old should be left behind. It might be concepts, beliefs, even leading principles.

➜ COUPLE RELATIONSHIPS

CONSTELLATION’S CONFIGURATION	MY NOTICE
The group of two people. Person A represents the voice of complains about her partner. Person B represents her or his partner.	COMPLAINTS. Person A starts complaining (what A wanted to tell her/his partner but couldn’t do it) Person B doesn’t answer, but feels what the effect of listening it, Just notices what you want to do, how your body wants to react. 3 min – one round then 2 min sharing. Then switch roles. Notice what topic will be repeated.
The group of 2. Person A is a client, Person B is his or her SICK Partner	A SICK PARTNER. Person A says to Person B: “Dear husband, perhaps our time is closing down. Let’s enjoy ourselves. Time is lost. Let’s enjoy ourselves as long as it lost. Then facilitator can ask: are you better with it or you are worst with it?
The group of 2. A – ask B the one question: How do you want to be loved? B is answering to this question for 3 min. No sharing. Then switch roles.	FOR IN-PERSON GROUPS: This excises could help to reveal some hidden loyalties from unconscious. Notice what topic will be repeated.
Figures: A – a part of me that stays alone with myself. B – a part of me is ready to connect with partner C – a part of me that is contact with partner (ability to express my own needs, desires, ability to trust) D – a part of me that step into intimacy with partner (no judgements) E – a part of me that merge with my partner (needs that is fulfilled or not)	EXCHANGE BETWEEN PARTNERS (5 inner stages of relationships) It might be use for exploration of the connection with partners or with others. The quality of receiving and giving. Where is the most tension?
	“I take you with all, with good and with other things” I take you with your father and morther, brother and sisters. I take you with events and the history of your family. I take you
A – a Client B – His Patner C – Client’s Nasty Self A looks at B and say: When I’m in trouble this part of me – C will take over. Take time and say: It’s just part of me. B looks at C and say: Yes. You are exist.	After Shadow Work “My Nasty Self”
	Работа с реальной парой, не заместителями. Пара садится друг напротив друга, и говорят друг другу (несколько раз за 2 минуты) – Скажи то, в чем мы точно согласны. Tell me something you think we agree on. – (второй отвечает что-то даже очень простое. Например “мы оба любим кофе”) – Скажи то, что ты ценишь во мне. (Опять сложности перевода: Tell me something you appreciate about me) – (второй отвечает, например:мне важно, что ты такой спокойный, когда я бешусь) – Tell me something about yourself you long for me to understand better. Скажи мне, что ты хочешь, чтобы я лучше замечал о тебе. – (второй отвечает, например, я хочу, чтобы ты заметил, как я люблю музыку)

➜ RELATIONSHIPS WITH A CHILD

CONSTELLATION’S CONFIGURATION	MY NOTICE
Figurines: A – a client B – Rep for child with strange behaviour C – Rep for this strange behaviour D – Rep for “what the behavior is pointing to”	CHILD’S STRANGE BEHAVIOURS A says to D: “Even if I don’t know who you are or what it is, I know you need space”

➜ RELATIONSHIPS WITH MONEY

CONSTELLATION’S CONFIGURATION	MY NOTICE
4 Figures: A – Rep for a Client, B – Rep for Money, C – Rep for The client’s Relationship with Money D – Rep for Hidden Relationships that would liked to be seen.	Keep in mind that money is the vehicle of exchange. So it can easily be associated with an exchange that once led to a deterioration or breakdown of a relationship (your relationship with something/someone/event, or a relationship in your parents’, ancestors). Ask the Rep for a client Look at the money (B) Look at your relationship with money and discover what it is like. Just listen to all the thoughts in your head without evaluating. Then look at the Rep Hidden Unknown Relationship – and just open yourself up to a possible connection to some other relationship. You probably won’t know what it is, but just allow the possibility that your relationship with money is connected to another relationship.

➜RELATIONSHIPS WITH BUSINESS

CONSTELLATION’S CONFIGURATION	MY NOTICE
Figure 1: A Practitioner, Figure 2: Unknown Figure 3: The Readiness to step into Unknown	The Contact Exploration
Figure 1: A Practitioner, Figure 2: The contact with a client Figure 3: What this contact brings to Figure 1	The Contact Exploration
Figure 1: A Practitioner, Figure 2: Business Figure 3: The Practitioner’s Mother	A Projection Exploration
Figure 1: A Practitioner, Figure 2: What the practitioner’s colleagues talk about him
Figure 1: A Practitioner, Figure 2: what the practitioner will be, when his practice is well-run Figure 3: What or whom he will lose Figure 4: Clients	An Exploration of Success and new image of ourselves and cost. Success is always alone.
Figure 1: I am as a Facilitator or a Practitioner, Figure 2: My uniqueness that a client comes to me or My unknown power or My power that I hide , Figure 3: Clients	This exercise can help to find for what clients I could be helpful.
Figure 1: How much my session costs Figure 2: how much it costs to recover and step in into the resourceful state
Figure 1: I am as a practitioner Figure 2: whom a client see in me (projection)	If there is problems with a client
Figure 1: I am as a practitioner Figure 2: My study Figure 3: Clients Figure 4: What my study is serving	(1) Study might be as s backpack. I wear it and don’t digest. Check if it’s good enough. (2) Study could be a fence from a real meeting with clients.
Figure 1: I am as a practitioner Figure 2: My study Figure 3: What I am really looking	(3) No answer has been found and I have been looking for something or somebody
Figure 1: a practitioner Figure 2: His practice Figure 3: Price for a session Figure 4: The decision to step into this practice
Group of two people and you need to have 5 papers. (1) Choose who will do the work & who will represent your client (2) On 3 papers, write 3 prices (the one you think is the right one and 2 others: up &down) (3) Mix them faced down and place them on the floor without knowing which is which, with a space between them. (4) Feel each one (at the beginning test just 3 papers) and choose the best one or choose the worst and decide which is the best of the other two (5) Look at the price and make your own reflection. Keep this paper. (6) Take 2 other paper and write down new prices, one slightly higher and another slightly lower that the one you choose before. Mix 3 papers. (7) Place the 3 on the floor without knowing which is which with space between them. (8) Ask Rep of the your client to stand up in front of you with each paper between both of you and at the same distance as you. Check how each of you feels with each one. (9) Take you own conclusions.	PRICE CALCULATION Here we can explore two patterns: (1) How do I value myself? (2) How do my clients value my service or products?
(1) – Connect to your company – What is your company doing? (No need to speak loudly) – Where is your focus if there are more directions? – In doing what your company is doing what are you for the clients? Are you providing me to help me….. (2) A – a client B – Rep for Society or patients or clients B asks A: What are you for me? What more are you? or What are you essentially for the outside world? B needs to pay attention how words from A are landed. 1-4 principles. Than you need to order them. (3) C – Rep for the 1st leading principle. D Rep for the 2 nd principle… Order them (4) Проверить верны ли наши принципы с той работой которую мы делаем? Where they come from? И что за дары у нас есть, которые жизнь хочет использовать?	LEADING PRINCIPLES Это не миссия. Если она сконструирована, то затрачивается очень много энергии. Принципы уже есть в системе. Их нужно вывести в осознание.
(1) For what it was a solution? (2) Did the company start with YES or NO? It was in the favour of something or against something? (3) Is there a founder behind the founder? (4) Who paid a price for success of the company in a moment it was founded? Guilt might be appear (5) What the society looked like at the moment the company was founded? What were the patterns in society? (6) Who are or who was honoured by founding? What were their patterns? (Their patterns might came in to the company) (7) What were the patterns of founder? (8) Who or what were excluded during founding the company? (9) For what was founding cover up? (too painful to see at that moment) (10) What does the company represent more just a company? (One parent’s figure) Put all figures that came out for each questions on the piece of paper. Basically what we do we acknowledge founding story. Including all patterns related to result of founding. You might end by saying to all of them: Yes, you served me well. And maybe my organisations wants to go beyond my founding story.	BUSINESS FOUNDING 10 systemic questions related to the origin of your company Don’t feel obliged to ask all 10 questions. Let your intuition guide you.
Do I have a place and is that place acknowledged? Fig 1: New member / a place Fig 2: a client Am I needed? Am I free? Fig1: New Place/ a member Fig2: might be the outside world	NEW TEAM & PLACE
Figure 1: the departing colleague’s Figure 2: The company or team that Figure 1 is leaving Fig1 to Fig2: (1) Everything I contributed to Fig2 I did with dedication. It may all stay with you. You may do with it what is right for you, even if that means my contributions will change or even disappear. (2) One of us got more, one of us gave more. I renounce any claim. (3) I also gave something I need for the rest of my life. My heart, my soul, the source of my creativity, my vibrancy, ot you name it. That which I have also given and need for the rest of my life I come to collect and take that with me. Whether you like it or not.	LEAVING AND LETTING GO. Systemic Separation (1) The bottom line is that the departing team member hands over ownership of her or his contributions to the team. (2) We face imbalance and an outstanding debt. The 2nd sentences: I stop trying to balance the imbalance or being unhappy with it. I am willing. however painful, to really close the account
Use the following question to identify traumatic events: (1) What things despaired from your organization? It maybe clients, customers, works process, products, original goals. (2) What new things came? It maybe the same things as clients, customers, works process, products, original goals. (3) Black pages: where did you feel shame and uncomfortable? It maybe damage, accidents, injustice. (4) What did you ignore very long time? What didn’t you see? (5) What is coming back constantly? At the end of practice facilitator ask one question: what this picture is telling you? Another questions: what happens next? what also?	TRAUMATIC EVENTS in ORGANIZATION (remarkable changes) use time line. Papers indicate traumatic events. If I as a Facilitator see that a client misses something or do not recognize something fully, I should not judge or advice him to look at it more careful. I may ask him the question: Hm…what this (something) means for you? 20 minutes for each