Psychogenealogy
I recently took a three-day training in psychogenealogy, given by Eduard Van den Bogaert. The aim was to explore and map your own family tree using his unique method. It is not my intention to explain the method here. For a detailed explanation, I recommend reading his book Psychogénéalogie or taking the training yourself. I can wholeheartedly recommend it.
Why do I mention this training?
Mr Van den Bogaert placed great emphasis on 'above' and 'below'. Above refers to the universe and everything that exists on higher levels, while below relates to the earth and everything connected to it. This dual perspective helps you create a holistic picture of your family tree. With every new exercise to map their family tree, most participants forgot these two facets, which were present long before we were. For me it was the other way round: it was the first thing I thought of. Everything takes place between above and below. Being aware of this gives you a sense of being anchored and of being part of a greater whole.
Symbolic roots and wings
When we talk about a family tree, we are not literally talking about a tree. The word roots should therefore be seen symbolically. In the context of your family history, roots symbolise your background, where you come from and the path your family has travelled over the course of history. Being firmly rooted in your origins gives you the foundation on which to build your identity. You then experience security and stability in your personal life and work.
Sometimes the roots are damaged, dead or gone. They then point to missing pieces, to patterns that have a limiting effect on your present life, or to harmful beliefs that are deeply ingrained.
Towards new horizons and freedom
When I came home after the training, I could have flown a circle above my village. That is how light and joyful I felt. In those three days, by redrawing my family tree again and again with squared paper, a ruler and pencils, I had grown. I had done little more than listen and draw. And yet my inner growth was tangible. By drawing your family tree over and over again, everything and everyone is given a more fitting place. This brings relaxation to your mind, your feelings and your body. 'I love seeing you so enthusiastic,' one of my children said. Even though I had thought for years that I knew my family tree, I had set out on a journey of discovery and, through it, had experienced a kind of freedom. As if I had reached a certain goal that I could not see, yet I could feel it. My wings had been activated. I was flying towards new horizons and freedom.
Growing together from shared roots
Looking at your individual and family dynamics from above and below helps you find a balance between roots and wings. On the one hand, the roots show you valuable aspects of the past that foster your growth. On the other hand, your wings remind you that you may pursue your dreams in order to develop yourself. Within a family, you grow towards stability through the talents you have developed and also through the limiting patterns. Together with the other households in your family, in your village and, by extension, in the wider community, you can grow together from your shared roots.
Innovative steps towards the future
It is well worth exploring how you can use the legacies of the past to make your present life more joyful and to take innovative steps towards the future. The roots contribute to your resilience in times of change, and the wings help you navigate when new challenges arise.
Case study: Larissa's journey from Roots to Wings
- Background: Larissa was 42. She was an entrepreneur and had struggled for years with the feeling of being stuck in her career and personal life. Despite her entrepreneurial talents, she felt held back from developing new opportunities. She decided to look at her roots to gain insight into her potential for growth.
- Exploring the roots: She researched her family history and discovered that her great-grandfather had been a successful entrepreneur. Generation after generation, there had been a great deal of pressure to follow in his footsteps. Larissa felt responsible for performing and living up to her family's expectations. She realised that in her family there had been very little room for emotional expression. The business always came first. Larissa herself was reluctant to share her feelings and ambitions.
- Developing the wings: With these insights, her desire to spread her wings grew. She set personal goals, independent of her family's expectations. She decided to take a fashion course, something she had always been passionate about but had never found time for. Through her creative process, she discovered new talents and interests and felt free and fulfilled.
- Outcome: A few years later, Larissa has not only improved her fashion skills but has also gained more self-confidence. She chose her own path and has since launched her own online clothing brand. She feels more connected to her family history because she now understands how her roots have shaped her and how she can use her wings to make a unique contribution. By becoming aware of her background and its influence, she found a balance between honouring her origins and pursuing her own dreams.
- In this way, you too can explore your background and develop your wings for personal growth and freedom.
Getting to work with yourself
I offer you a few exercises to help you dive deeper into your system. You can do them reflectively, or you can first seek out your own stillness and let yourself be guided by the insights that come from your intuition.
- Reflection:
- Which aspects of your past give you strength?
- Which dreams and ambitions do you want to pursue?
- How can you use your strong foundation to let your wings grow?
2. Visualisation and creation:
- What do roots symbolise for you? Look for symbols or photos that represent them. Make a drawing of them. What happens during the creative process?
- What do wings symbolise for you? Look for symbols or photos that represent them.
Make a drawing of them. What happens during the creative process?
3. Tell your story
- Tell your children, your partner or a friend how your roots have shaped you and how you have let your wings grow. Notice what you experience within yourself as you tell your story. What does your story do to those listening?
Birds build their nests with twigs (and roots)
and embrace the freedom of the sky.
Hilde Van Bulck
Awareness Architect, Systemic Constellation Facilitator and Advisor
Ambassador and Director for Constellations and Education at Constellators International.
