Thanks Chris for sending Annnie's letter; I had not previously received it. As for the sand tray work, it sounds like a useful tool for individuals. In my own work with individuals, I use visualizations: they first tell me what the issue is and about events that occurred in the family, then they close their eyes, and I take them on a walk, with me to the top of a hill where we look down below and see many people milling around and notice that it's all the members alive and deceased in their family. Then we watch as constellations ensue- we see their paretns approach each other, or siblings approach one another or we see the person him or herself approaching someone, etc. I ask, what is that like for the father or what expression does the mother have, and the client answers and then I use healing dialogues, asking after each sentence what the effect is on one person or another or the client. It works very well, and information comes to light just as in the group work (as you know with other kinds of individual work). At the end, we return down the hill and back down the road etc. OR I use papers, write the name of the person the paper represents and an arrow to show the direction they're facing. Then the client places them and either the client goes from spot to spot or I go from spot to spot and report the feelings that come up. This also works if I know who the papers represent and the client does not - very fascinating this one! It often reveals the entanglement very specifically. I did one the other day in a study group with 4 people: I had the client place two papers, he and his father. He placed them, then someone stood on each of them and reported their feelings. When I asked who they were, he reversed them, showing very accurately the confusion in the family, with he being big and his father small. I swapped him into his place and proceeded like a constellation. Very interesting and moving for the client to see it so clearly. I also recently saw a demonstration with colored mats (Claudia Mengel from Germany doing this work, similarly to working with pieces of papers but with many variations). It seems the field is alive and well and eager to reveal what is needed to unleash the flow of love. I sometimes ask myself WHY use any variation when the constellation works SO well, especially variations in group work. AM wondering what people would say in response to why use something different in a group.
Thanks for the chatline, Chris, it is a great idea. all the best, sheila
Sheila Saunders, RN, MFT Systemic Family Solutions peacefulcentre@xxxxxxxxxxx www.systemicfamilysolutions.com Great Smokies Medical Center 1312 Patton Ave. Asheville, NC. 28806 cell: 828-273-5015 fax: 828-255-8118 >From: "Chris Walsh" >Reply-To: ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >To: >Subject: [ConstellationTalk] Annie's Sandtray post >Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 08:45:26 +1100 > >This is Annie's post about sandtray work which I am resending >hasta la vista >Chris Walsh > >Dear Chris and others > >Hello! > >I have followed the discussion re individual work with interest. > >I use my sand tray to do constellation work with both individuals and couples (In couples I ask one (they choose) to do the work and then the other adds, changes etc.). > >My tray is the size of a half drawer on an upright table and I have a shoe box with a variety of small items. I have found clients can get a great deal out of this and at times it has worked fantastically. > >Clients being able to move items chosen in the sand, build high and low places, bury members etc seems to have great effect. The symbolism of, say an owl on top of a building block for the father (and the movement from there) actually adds to the whole exercise. Clients seem to be able to identify with each chosen object in turn and to move the objects as the constellation develops. > >The only part that is somewhat difficult is the bowing. To bow over a sand tray on a table does not require much bending. Yet to get up and bow to the floor and away from the tray, changes the energy .As I write I think that next time I might invite the person to take the representative item and place it on the small low table in the centre of my room and then bow to that. Afterwards to return the piece to the constellation. > >Groups are great but this seems to be potentially a very viable alternative. > >Of course I always try to go by my intuition as to when it is appropriate to use it. > >Best wishes > >Annie > > >My Website: >www.constellationflow.com >or >www.cwalsh.com.au ><< ChrisWalsh.vcf >>