edithbertrand.com
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Practical matters
Taking a break or stopping in between
You and I are and remain, as physical beings, ‘in charge’ of the ritual constellation. However, I would ask you to do this respectfully. Ancestors have good intentions in appearing and make themselves vulnerable in doing so. A short break for some human interludes is perfectly acceptable. If you want to stop completely for any reason, you may do so. I will help you and the ancestors to come to a conclusion. Please give me time to communicate this with the ancestors. Because when you enter into a constellation, you are jointly responsible for the well-being of the ancestors. We make the following agreement about this: as long as I am representing an ancestor, you do not talk about it, but remain silent until I am seated again. If no ancestor is being represented, you can briefly indicate that you want to stop. Then I will indicate to the ancestors that the ritual will not be continued, thank them and say goodbye to them. You can also participate in this yourself. This is followed by the dismissal of the stones. Only then is there room for your experiences. But first, in such a situation, the attention will be focused on bringing the ritual with the ancestors to a good conclusion.
It might be the case that I don’t manage to represent very well, for example because the atmosphere is restless, or because the ancestors’ circumstances are not properly understood or addressed. In such a situation, I may decide to bring the constellation to a close. In such a situation, I will not make a new appointment.
Making an audio recording
Making an audio recording is certainly recommended. If you use two mobile phones to do this, you can be sure that both the ancestors and your questions are clearly recorded. One mobile phone can be placed between you and your helper. The other can be placed on a high but narrow table in front of the ancestors, if you wish. You remain responsible for the recordings. You can also choose to take notes.
Video recordings are not allowed.
Requirements
What you need to provide:
A description of your constellation, including the position of the stones, the order in which they are placed, information about which stones are represented, if this has already been (partially) decided, and, where this has been decided, which ancestors they represent;
A symbol for yourself and a symbol for your inner child;
Possibly two mobile phones for the audio recording;
Your opening questions for your ancestors;
Your own notes for the ritual;
Pen and paper for jotting things down as you go along.
Things you can provide, but which I always have to hand:
Plenty of small stones.
What I will provide:
For myself, I will ensure I have the layout of the stones on paper, information on which stones are represented, if this has already been (partially) decided, and, insofar as this has been decided, which ancestors they represent.
When the ancestral field is tuned into: coloured sheets of paper for the number of people present.
Cards bearing the numbers of the generations, to be placed next to the field. This provides clarity given the large number of stones. And cards with numbers to be placed next to the represented ancestors.
When the stones are determined: small cards with the notes ‘mother’, ‘father’, ‘maternal grandmother’, ‘maternal grandfather’, ‘paternal grandmother’ and ‘paternal grandfather’ and so on up to the great-great-grandparents. These cards are used when, in a ritual constellation, it must be clear which stone represents whom.
White and black pawns. A white pawn represents a female ancestor, a black pawn represents a male ancestor. You or your helper place these next to a represented stone.
For those who wish to do so: A raised table for the representative’s audio recording.
Guests
As described, you should bring one or two helpers to assist with the proper performance of the ritual and perhaps also to support you in your contact with your ancestors. If you bring any more people, not only will there be a charge (€20.00 per person), but they will be required to remain quiet in my home. If they do not comply and fail to remain quiet, the ritual will either not go ahead or will be stopped midway. You and your helper are the ones responsible for this. During the rehearsal, you’ll see my house, and I’ll show you – if you want to bring guests along – where your guests can help themselves to a glass of water, where the loo is, and where in the living room they can sit.
Location, duration, costs
The rehearsal and the actual ritual constellation take place at my home in Doesburg. Make sure you allow time for the rehearsal, up to 2.5 hours.
The days leading up to the constellation, we will work together to create a calm atmosphere and there will be no further discussions.
As I work during the week, the ancestor constellations can only take place on a Saturday or a Sunday.
We will talk as little as possible before the session begins.
For an initial ritual ancestral constellation session involving representation, I currently charge €150.00. This includes a rehearsal. For subsequent sessions, I charge €110.00 as no rehearsal is required. If you would like to have a rehearsal yourself for a future session, that is possible and the fee will be €150.00 again. If you are under 25, I charge half the fee. If you bring guests (people who are not helpers), I charge €20.00 per person. Please note that space is limited. If you end the session early, the fee will remain at the price agreed in advance. In the unlikely event that I end the session early, payment will be calculated per ancestor represented.
The cost of the paid helper is €50.00 per ritual constellation.
In terms of duration, you can expect it to take a maximum of 2.5 hours.
You can find my contact details under the ‘Other’ section, ‘Contact’.