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.
There may be occasions when I am unable to represent effectively, for example because the atmosphere is restless, or because the questions asked do not align well with the ancestors, and 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. The helper ensures that this high table is positioned correctly. The high table can be set up when the process of tuning in to and representing the ancestors begins. The table is placed next to you when you tune in to a stone, and can remain in front of me during the representation. The helper ensures that the table is not too close so that the ancestor has some space to make movements with their hands or arms. For each ancestor, the helper places the high table in a suitable spot. Both audio recordings continue to play throughout, so there is no need to worry about them.
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;
Preferably 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, the order in which the stones are placed, 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, and white and black sheets for a happy feeling or a worried feeling, respectively, when tuning into the field.
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 when the order of representation is not fixed. If the order is fixed, you may place them there too, but this is not strictly necessary as it is then clear which stone has already been represented.
A raised table for the representative’s audio recording.
Location, duration, costs
The rehearsal and the actual ritual ceremony always take place at my home in Doesburg.
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.
You can arrive well before the session begins to get used to the surroundings, find your place and have a cup of tea. We will talk as little as possible before the session begins.
In terms of duration, you can expect the session to last two hours, with a possible extension of up to half an hour.
I currently charge €150.00 for a ritual ancestral constellation session involving representation. If you are under 25, I charge half that amount. If you bring more than two people with you, I charge €20.00 per person. Please note that space is limited. If you terminate the session early, the fee remains at €150.00. If I terminate the session early, the fee is €15.00 per ancestor represented.
You can find my contact details under the ‘Other’ section, ‘Contact’.