SCASA Blog – Fourth Edition
Family Constellations is a powerful therapeutic approach that explores the hidden dynamics within families and systems, and how these shape our lives, relationships, and sense of belonging. As practitioners, we are reminded that what lies ‘beneath the surface’ often holds the key to meaningful transformation. Once we can see patterns and hidden dynamics, we can gain understanding, make shifts and create change.
Globally, this period has been marked by significant moments of reflection and renewal, with the observance of Eid, Easter, and Passover. Across cultures and contexts, there is a shared hope for regeneration- personal and collective. In South Africa it is also Freedom Day, the day in which Apartheid was disbanded and all South Africans from age 18 could vote.
At the same time, we are witnessing a world under strain—polarization, war, ongoing conflict, rising oil prices, unemployment, and widening inequality. Many struggle for survival, while others hold vast wealth, prompting increasing calls for redistribution and contribution toward meaningful causes. Alongside this, perspectives such as the “overview effect” described by astronauts remind us of the Earth’s fragility, interconnectedness, and the profound need for care and responsibility.
Against this backdrop, the work of Family Constellations feels especially relevant. It offers a way to engage with what is unseen yet deeply influential—inviting awareness, restoration, and reconnection within both personal and collective systems, and untangling that which blocks the flow of love.
In this fourth edition, we present four articles that deepen our understanding of systemic dynamics:
The Role of the Outsider in the Family System by Hayley Moore explores how the “black sheep” may be excluded for not conforming to family norms, beliefs, or expectations. Rather than just ‘being the problem’, this individual often carries or signals unresolved dynamics within the system.
Monika von Wietersheim’s article on Blind Love examines how unconscious loyalties can lead individuals to sacrifice their own potential out of deep love and identification with another family member’s pain or limitation. Within the Family Constellations framework, these unseen bonds are understood as often unconscious commitments to belonging. Through constellation work, these entanglements can be revealed, acknowledged, and gently released, allowing each person to reclaim their rightful place.
Erik Anderson reflects on What Creates Change in Family Constellations? He reflects on more immediate shifts and the arc of longer-term, even generational shifts that happen in constellations. Working with both shorter and longer-term processes and shifts is important and requires different lenses.
Finally, Jutta Holzapfel reflects on the shadow using constellations methodology and her recent experiences learning about this on the course, “ The Shadow Strikes Back” developed by Nir Esterman. The shadow affects all our relationships, both personal and professional.
What’s hidden often has as much influence as what’s visible. Jutta reflects on exploring shadow in our role as facilitators and within todays global issues.
Finally, SCASA held a constellation reflection on SCASA and what is not being seen, what needs to be seen, and what do people need/want from SCASA. Undine Whande and Lindiwe Salter will reflect on this process for our next edition.
