Under the heading ‘Explanation of small theme constellations’ (under ‘Guided constellations’), I explain that you don't constellate stress, but use the word theme. I recently heard that people who guided constellations allowed ego to be constellated. That doesn't feel right to me. Not that you don't constellate a certain energy that corresponds with that. That's for sure. If you constellate stress, you constellate stress, and if you constellate ego, you constellate ego. But in my view, it is not good to constellate them because they are energies of duality. That means they are stuck in duality.

I will give an example. Recently, we did a constellation around problems in a company, and the facilitator suggested that we also constellate the company itself and not just the people who worked there. The company was also given a place in the room via a piece of paper that said ‘company’, with an arrow and a stone on it. When I represented the company, a very sad little company came forward and complained: “Those people are only concerned with themselves and they don't see me.” The company found this really sad. It cried a little to the facilitator and then came to the conclusion that maybe it would be okay if it were no longer there. It was fine that way. After another round, I found myself back on the paper company. This time, something else emerged in that spot: the energy on the paper had become a helping energy. It indicated that it was ‘company energy’. So not that specific company, but company energy. That is energy that comes to help when someone sets up a company or has a company. That energy indicated: there is room for a company here. Otherwise, the company energy would not have been there. There is space for a business, this energy made clear. That was an interesting and surprising turn of events. So in this case, an energy had been set up that certainly played a role, and that could also move and be positive. That is good. But if you set up a duality energy, it can only bring more of the same. It has no possibility of movement or growth because it is duality. If you set up stress, you will only end up with stress. If, instead, you set up the word ‘theme', you may end up with an experience that needs to be relived, or a belief in a person, or an inner child that wants to be integrated. Then you can move on and there can be growth or movement.

With the duality experience, you look to see if there is tension. There is tension on the ego, there is tension on stress. There is no need for tension on pain and sadness. These are experiences that are simply part of life. I would not list depression, only under the heading of theme, but not under the heading of depression. Depression moves towards (suction) duality. Incidentally, the word “pressure” is in it: pression (tension). Can something exist in the positive flow of life? So I would never include war, not with that word. I would include it under the heading ‘theme’ if it were important in a constellation. Be careful not to give these movements too much energy. And don't look at them with curiosity.

In short: when you set up a constellation, do not set up a duality experience because it does not move towards healing and unity. Be aware of that. You will probably only make it stronger with a constellation. You want to go to the underlying system that can use healing. Choose a concept or word that allows space for that. ‘Company’ is a neutral term. It also has positive connotations. The word ‘theme’ is neutral and can be infused with a helpful energy.

If, while tuning in or representing, you encounter people or situations that are not positive but seem to be sabotaging things a little, don't dwell on them too much; just say goodbye politely and move on.

Ancestors are a different story, because they come forward precisely to be healed. You do give them the space to do that. That process is guided spiritually. Another option is to indicate that you are sending loving, soothing energy and see if the energy is open to it. But be very honest in assessing whether they are really accepting it or playing a game to get attention. Then they will act sweet. So you can also detach yourself from it. That is safer.

As a general rule, you can apply that you do not constellate negative energies, only positive or neutral ones, and that if you encounter a negative person, you quickly say goodbye, unless they come to be healed, as can happen in a spiritual context. You do not do this yourself, but leave it to spiritual guides to decide and arrange.