The Life Phases on the Wheel of the Four Directions

The Wheel of the Four Directions – also known in shamanic traditions as the Medicine Wheel – is an ancient model that reflects the cycle of life. It symbolizes the rhythms of nature, the phases of human experience, and the ongoing movement between birth, growth, decay, and renewal.
The Wheel offers a framework for working with the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual forces of life, helping us to find insight, wisdom, and healing.

In this text, I focus on the Wheel of Life Phases.

The North – The Source of Wisdom and Origin

Our life begins in the Northeast, which means we come from the North.
But what is this place exactly?

The North is the realm where all experiences – yours and those of all souls who have had the courage to enter the wheel of earthly existence – are gathered.
Here, everything that has been lived, felt, and learned crystallizes into wisdom.
It is the place where all personal identity dissolves and only pure essence remains.

The North is the realm of both the departed and the unborn souls – the place of our ancestors.
We come from there, and we return there when our earthly cycle is complete.

From a shamanic perspective, children come not from their parents, but from their ancestors.
Parents provide the biological process, but the soul itself is sent from the North.

Conception takes place in the Northeast.
Here true magic unfolds: a soul transforms from a non-physical to a physical state, from a formless, timeless, non-polar space into a tangible, material reality.
It is an extremely delicate transition. Even today, the beginning of life reminds us how fragile this process is – a mystery never to be taken for granted.

It is also in the Northeast that the baby is born.

The East – Childhood

The East represents the phase of childhood.
It is the direction of new beginnings – of innocence, curiosity, and wonder.
Here, the child lives in openness, exploring the world freely, eager to discover and experience.
Just as the morning sun illuminates the earth, so does the light of awareness awaken within the child.

The Southeast – The Threshold of Adulthood

The Southeast marks the transition toward adulthood.
Roughly between the ages of thirteen and twenty-two, profound changes take place.
The body develops rapidly, the brain matures, and hormones stir inner turbulence.
It is a period of growth but also of confusion, emotional instability, impulsiveness, and strong mood swings.

The adolescent longs to explore the outer world.
This stage is vulnerable: young people do not yet see clearly what is risky and what is not. Taking risks stimulates the brain’s reward system – when something goes well, the excitement encourages further risk-taking.
Statistically, mortality rates peak in this life phase.

The central task of adolescence is the search for identity.
At some point, the family of origin begins to feel restrictive. The young person rebels, pushing against boundaries and claiming independence.
Yet this is not true individuality: the young person moves merely from the family soul to the group soul.
Friend groups take the place of family, each with their own rules, values, and limits.

The need to belong continues into adulthood.
We form circles of peers, parents at school, communities, or professional networks.
Belonging to a group is deeply human – we are tribal beings who thrive in connection.
Within a group we feel safety and strength, though belonging also implies exclusion.
There can be no “we” without “they.”
The dominant value in this phase is often loyalty, sometimes at the expense of integrity.

Eventually, the adolescent steps into the world of adults – into the South.

The South – Adulthood and Fulfilment

The South is the direction of adulthood – of strength, realization, and manifestation.
Here we take on responsibility as mature human beings.
We build a life: a home, a family, a career, a community.
We care for others and contribute to the continuation of life.

The South is the time of action and creation – the moment to harvest what was sown in the East.
It is a period of doing, achieving, and shaping ideals into tangible reality.
In this phase, we take our rightful place in the world, standing fully in the light of day, with open eyes and willing hands.

The Southwest – The Transition Toward Elderhood

The Southwest is the gateway to the West – the time of reflection, evaluation, and release.
Children leave the nest. The body begins to change. Energy shifts, and vitality now requires more care and maintenance.

For women, hormonal changes can be abrupt, often accompanied by physical and emotional discomfort.
The body softens, the familiar contours alter.
For men, the process is more gradual – testosterone levels decline, and energy subtly transforms.
The risk of chronic illness increases; the body reminds us that nothing lasts forever.

On a social and personal level, this is a time of reflection.
We look back on the choices that have shaped our lives – in relationships, work, family, and inner development.
We learn to accept what is, and to find peace with how things have unfolded.

This reflection can bring restlessness, but also serenity.
As children leave home, some experience emptiness, while others rediscover freedom.
If we look back with kindness, this phase can awaken a sense of generativity – the wish to share wisdom, teach, and guide.
Attention shifts from the self to the next generation.

The West – Maturity and Release

The West is the direction of the setting sun.
It is the time of completion, harvest, release, and wisdom.
Here we recognize impermanence – that all things belong to a greater rhythm.

Those who have lived with an open heart can find peace in this phase.
There is room for gentleness, compassion, and a deep sense of connection.
The West invites integration – bringing together all that has been, allowing it to transform into something new.

The Northwest – Elderhood and Return

From the West, we move gradually toward the Northwest – the phase of elderhood.
We withdraw from the world of doing and turn toward being.
Life slows down, and simplicity becomes meaningful.

In this final stage, we look back upon our life.
If the journey has been good enough, a sense of integrity and wisdom emerges – not regret, but fulfillment; not struggle, but peace.

The Northwest prepares the way back to the North, where we return to the greater whole – completing the circle once more.

The Circle Completed

The Wheel of the Four Directions reminds us that everything moves, everything changes, and everything returns.
Each direction, each phase, carries its own wisdom and teaching.
By aligning ourselves with the rhythm of the Wheel, we come to recognize the natural flow of life – from beginning to end, from birth to return.

In understanding these cycles, we find not only insight but also peace:
the quiet knowing that nothing is ever lost – only transformed.

Honouring the Ancestors: The Thin Veil Between Worlds in Early November

Uit: Leerboek Familieopstellingen – Susanne Hazen

Introduction

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, we enter a time of turning inward — a season when many cultures pause to remember those who came before us.
Across the world, early November carries a quiet mystery. It is said that during these days, the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead grows thin, allowing us to sense the presence of our ancestors more closely.
From ancient Celtic Samhain to Mexico’s Día de los Muertos, this time invites us to honour the ones who walked before us — not in mourning, but in gratitude and celebration.

Ancestors hold a vital place in both Family Constellations and Systemic Ritual. Within these approaches, they are regarded as present and alive—not in our everyday reality, but in another dimension.
That is why both methods call for respect and awareness; they are not practices to take lightly.

👉 See for workshops ONLINE and Live – the Agenda

When the Veil Grows Thin

It is said that around the beginning of November, the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead becomes at its thinnest.
During this time, contact with the “Otherworld” — the realm of ancestors, gods, saints, and spirits — is believed to come most easily.

Throughout history, myths and cultures have recognised this liminal moment. The Celts and Germanic tribes celebrated Samhain, while elsewhere people marked Halloween, All Saints’ Day (November 1st), All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), and Mexico’s Día de los Muertos.
Each carries the same essence: to remember and honour those who have passed.

Samhain – The Celtic New Year

For the ancient Celts and Germanic peoples, Samhain marked both the start of winter and the beginning of a new year. Traditionally beginning at sunset on October 31st and lasting three days, it was a time when the veil between worlds was believed to grow paper-thin.

The dead were thought to return among the living. Families lit fires outdoors and hearths within, laid places at the table for their ancestors, and offered food both at the altar and outside for wandering spirits.

Despite its connection with death, Samhain was far from sombre—it was a joyful celebration of life, filled with laughter, music, and feasting.
The ancestors were welcomed, honoured, and consulted, receiving gifts and offerings. It was a way to stay connected, to give them their rightful place, and to transform grief into gratitude.

Samhain was also a harvest and thanksgiving festival, marking the close of the agricultural year. The gathered crops were stored, and livestock was either sheltered or sacrificed in thanks to the gods, nature spirits, and ancestors.

From Samhain to Halloween

When Irish and Scottish immigrants brought their Samhain traditions to North America in the 19th century, these evolved into Halloween — All Hallow’s Eve.
Today it’s celebrated widely across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, though its deeper meaning is often forgotten, replaced by the lighthearted fun of trick-or-treating.

All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day

All Saints’ Day, on November 1st, is a Christian feast day. On this day, the Roman Catholic Church honours and venerates all saints.
All Souls’ Day, on November 2nd, is dedicated to remembering all the departed.
Until the early 7th century, these Christian feasts were celebrated in May.
However, in the Netherlands, the first Wednesday of November was also once a festive day — a harvest thanksgiving, originally a pagan celebration.
To help the people accept Christianity more readily, the Church moved All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day to November 1st.
As a result, the ancient folk traditions merged with the Christian ones, blending older customs with the new faith.

Día de los Muertos – The Day of the Dead

In Mexico and parts of Latin America, early November brings the vibrant Día de los Muertos, a three-day festival rooted in ancient indigenous traditions.

Like Samhain, it is a joyful remembrance rather than a mourning. Families build altars for their loved ones, decorating them with food, drinks, and gifts.
Cemeteries come alive with colour and sound—people sing, eat, and dance among the graves, celebrating the continuity of life beyond death.

Originally held in early August, the festival was moved to November under Catholic influence, aligning with All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

✨ Closing Reflection

Across cultures and centuries, early November invites us to turn toward our ancestors—not with fear or sorrow, but with gratitude and celebration.
In doing so, we honour the roots from which we come and keep alive the unseen threads that connect us all.

You are part of a larger story

By Susanne Hazen, author Leerboek Familieopstellingen

Sometimes we feel disconnected, as if we have no anchor. As if we have to figure it all out on our own.

But what if you’re connected to something much larger?

Ancestor work reminds us of this: you are the result of thousands of lives that have come before you. People who made mistakes, who loved, lost, fought, and hoped. And people who may never have been able to finish their lives.

When we connect with this line, we often experience a profound sense of peace. As if we fall back into place. As if life no longer starts “from scratch” but is carried.

In workshops, we work with constellations, rituals, and stories. We create space for the knowledge stored in your body. We practice listening to the voices that express themselves through feelings, images, or movements.

Because when you know where you come from, you also know better where you can go.

And, as Daniel Foor says, when we reconcile with our ancestors—even those who brought pain—we restore not only our own lineage but also a piece of the greater whole.

For workshops – ONLINE and in-person, see:

Workshops and courses (Online and Live)

Children’s Intergenerational Knowledge

By Susanne Hazen, author Leerboek Familieopstellingen

Children often know more than you think. They sense indescribable things. They sometimes dream things that no one has told them.

Research indicates that children with a strong understanding of their family—such as knowing who their grandmother was, where their grandfather came from, and what happened during the war—score higher in resilience, self-esteem, and social skills.

Why?

Because they are part of a larger story. They feel connected. They have an inner anchor.

The concept of “intergenerational self” is not vague. It is a supportive foundation, especially in times of change or loss. When children lack access to their family’s story, they become isolated more quickly. But when they know who they are—including who created them—solidity arises.

Ancestor work, therefore, isn’t just for adults. It’s also for those who come after us.

When we heal what has been passed down to us, we pass on something else.

For workshops – ONLINE and in-person, see:

Workshops and courses (Online and Live)

The Power of Healed Ancestors

By Susanne Hazen, author Leerboek Familieopstellingen

Not every ancestor is a source of strength. Some souls are still restless, filled with pain. But further back in the lineage, four, five, or more generations ago, we often find a different quality.

These ancestors have lived through their experiences. They are at peace and able to transmit their strength. In shamanism, we refer to this as working with empowering ancestors.

During a Systemic Ritual, we consciously bring these ancestors into focus. Not to dredge up old pain, but to reconnect with the source of strength that sustains us.

Especially when life seems stuck, when we feel directionless or overloaded, connecting with these healed forces can spark a new flow.

Ancestor work is not nostalgia. It is an invitation to attune ourselves to what came before us, so that life can flow through us again.

For workshops – ONLINE and in-person, see:

Workshops and courses (Online and Live)

What you don’t see can still have an impact on you

By Susanne Hazen, author Leerboek Familieopstellingen

Science is slowly catching up. While shamans and healers have spoken about the influence of ancestors for thousands of years, epigenetics is now also beginning to confirm that traumas are biologically passed on.

We now know that intense experiences of parents or grandparents – war, loss, hunger, violence – leave their mark on the bodies of subsequent generations, not in the DNA itself, but in the way that DNA expresses itself.

So you don’t have to have experienced something yourself to feel the consequences. And that’s precisely why we’re often shocked by what becomes visible in constellations: the pain is real, but its origins sometimes lie far beyond our own lives.

The trick is not to carry this old pain yourself, but to make it visible, acknowledge it, and leave it with the person to whom it belonged.

That’s where a family constellation can help. But Systemic Ritual can also be very beneficial in this regard.

For workshops – ONLINE and in-person, see:

Workshops and courses (Online and Live)

Our Ancestors Are Closer Than You Think

By Susanne Hazen, author Leerboek Familieopstellingen

We carry our ancestors within us. Not only in our faces, the colour of our eyes or the shape of our hands. Also in our beliefs, fears, reactions, and even in our dreams.

Through our parents, we inherit the patterns of our entire bloodline; an invisible stream stretching back through generations – all the way to the first humans.

Imagine the thousands of lives that preceded ours. So many experiences, choices, loves and losses…

Some of those ancestors are at peace. Others are still processing. And that can affect us – their descendants – without us even knowing it.

What we often refer to as ‘unexplained patterns’ may have origins far beyond our own lives. When we (unconsciously) carry someone else’s pain, it can weaken us. However, when we connect to the healed strength of our ancestors, a profound source of support and clarity emerges.

Ancestral work is not only a tribute to those who came before. It is also a way to fully arrive in your own life.

For workshops – ONLINE and in-person, see:

Workshops and courses (Online and Live)

FATHERS

“The mothers put us into life; the fathers put us into the world”.
(Bert Hellinger)

This article is about Fathers! In our psyche, we carry an image of Father. Most of the time, this image is based upon the experience we had with our birth father. However, our psyche also holds images of Father that are informed by the archetype of Father. We can find these images of Father in the old stories: the myths and fairytales. The Father image seems to be universal; it exists in many different cultures worldwide.
If we like it or not – this image of Father – influences us more than we realise or wish. It determines our access to masculine energy.

If you want to know more about Systemic Ritual, then come and meet me in these ONLINE workshops. You will EXPERIENCE the work. Next workshop is about FATHERS:

Wednesday, June 11 – 07.30 – 09.30 – Amsterdam time – CEST
See: https://systemic-ritual.com/online-circles-systemic-ritual/

Without healthy, proper access to this masculine energy, we will miss some essential qualities. These are, among others:

  • Being capable of taking decisions
  • Taking responsibilities
  • Vigour
  • Setting goals and focusing
  • Setting boundaries
  • Autonomy
  • Logical and rational thinking
  • Independency

This article will explore the archetype Father and the roles connected to that archetype. You will also learn about some basic dynamics found in the practice of Family Constellations and how Systemic Ritual can help to heal the wounds of a rejected father.

“If mom is the gateway to life, dad is the portal to the world.”
– Marina Toledo

The primary roles of the Father

In almost every studied culture, fathers have assumed three primary roles: the protector, the provider, and the disciplinarian. Of course, nowadays, in many families, mothers fulfil these three roles as much as fathers. Mothers protect their children and provide for their families by working outside the home and teaching their children as well. Maybe it is better to speak about the yin and yang aspects of parenting or the masculine and feminine qualities needed to raise and nourish children.

Protector
The Father protects the family from all danger that can come from outside. He takes care of a safe home for the family. He wants to protect the family from bad things that can happen. But if a bad thing may happen, he is the one that teaches the children to cope with ‘possible dangers’, such as how to cope with strangers, accidents, bullies, and falls.
The protector also observes the social environment of the children – their friends and peers, the club, the school, and the neighbourhood. The Father as protector tries to eliminate possible dangers in the social environment of his children.

Provider
In many cultures, one of the Father’s primary roles is also that of a provider: taking care of all money/materials needed to provide his family with food, clothes, a roof above the head, etc.

Guide or educator
Fathers prepare the child for the future. They want their child to succeed, to see what’s on the horizon, and to aspire to bigger and better things. So, Fathers need to teach their children how to handle their impulses, stay calm under stress, and deal with situations where they don’t endanger themselves or others.

The old stories

In myths and fairytales, the roles of Fathers are well described.
The positive aspect of the Father principle suggests law, order, justice, flexible discipline, rationality, understanding, inspiration and authority in the service of protection. All are expressed in images of benevolent and helpful kings, firefighters, healers and guides.
The positive Father is an image of the mature masculine, manifesting caring, guidance and protection without infringing on the autonomy of those under his care.
The shadow Father emerges when the caring, guidance and protection turn into abuse of authority. The negative Father archetype involves rigidity, control and a cold intellectual way of relating.

Lessons learned from Family Constellations

Our father is the first contact with masculine energy. In order to be able to take our place in the world, we need to take our father.

Addictions
When we reject our father, we also reject a part of ourselves. We won’t feel that we will have a right for love, success or fulfilment in life, etc.). So we will feel an inner void that we will try to fill with things from outside.
Bert Hellinger observed, through many constellations over the years, that many addictions (alcohol, gambling, sex, food, drugs, etc.) are linked to a missing father. It is as if the addict is attempting to fill the void from his father through the addiction.

“Addictions have Father’s face.”
Bert Hellinger

Guru‘s
Another symptom of the lack of a father’s power may be expressed by looking for him in religion, spirituality, teachers, leaders, masters and gurus. By that, an adult tries to fulfil the need to be guided and protected. But unfortunately, this will blur their thinking and ability to perceive and the intuition – leading to wrong choices.

Loyalty to the mother
When we are born, we see this world through the eyes of the most important person for us, our mother. As a consequence, when we grow up, but remain in the same state, we will also see our fathers through “her eyes”.
If a mother is not happy about her relationship, if she rejects her husband, and her children see things through “her eyes”, they also tend to reject the father.
For a boy, this will result in an incapability to relate to a woman and build his family. He does not have access to masculine energy. He does not know how to be independent.
For a girl, this will result in the fact that she will see in men the same problems her mother sees in her husband. She will repeat her mother’s pattern. But paradoxically, she will look for a father in all men around. As a result, she cannot grow up and be independent properly.

With a disbalance in our feminine and masculine energies, many things around us do not work. For balance, we need both powers, both parents. We need to accept our father inwardly to live life fully.

Systemic Ritual – calling upon the archetypes of Fathers

It can be really difficult to embrace our father entirely inwardly. However, with the help of the positive archetypical Father images, the images of the old stories, we can start healing our wounds of a rejected father and therefore gain more access to healthy masculine qualities. Systemic Ritual offers an opportunity for healing ‘the rejected father’ with the help of the Father archetypes. By connecting to the Father archetypes, we can circumpass in a way the confrontation with the birth father. This can be helpful when the relationship with the birth father is filled with trauma – violence, abuse, for example. By calling upon the archetypical Father image in a Systemic Ritual, access to the male energy can be gained – at least for a while.

“Thank you, dad, for giving me the courage to follow my dreams, the strength to face adversities, the voice to set boundaries, the clarity to discern, the confidence to succeed.”
– Marina Toledo

Inspired by:
https://corecounselling.ca/the-archetypal-father/
http://www.denisegrobbelaar.com/blog/the-father-archetype
https://familyconstellationvirtual.com/fathers-love/
https://www.constellations.work/and-once-more-about-fathers/
https://www.continued.com/early-childhood-education/ask-the-experts/what-three-primary-roles-father-23462
https://www.hellingerinstitute.com/healing-the-father-wound-for-personal-and-professional-fulfillment/

Integrating Family Constellations and Shamanic Ritual ~ Austin, May 2025

A weekend seminar in May, 2025

Saturday, May 24th and Sunday, May 25th, 2025
10 am to 4:30pm
Sol Healing Center, Austin, Texas
Seminar fee: $300 (includes the two-day seminar, digital syllabus, lunch and refreshments)

Click here to register.

Join us for a remarkable weekend seminar fusing the practice of Systemic Family Constellations with the grounding power of Shamanic Ritual, engaging the resources of our divine and blood ancestors.

Led by dynamic shamanic practitioner and experienced family constellations trainer Susanne Hazen of Amsterdam, we will engage Systemic Ritual to discover and release family conflicts that have been passed down generationally, holding us from full realization and peace.

Bringing our present day issues into focus, we will create systemic rituals to engage our generational lineage who are ready and willing to provide resources, strength, and support.

This seminar is for those experienced in family constellations or shamanic work, as well as those with a genuine desire to access ancestral wisdom and resources.

The Power of blending Constellations and Shamanic Ritual

Systemic Ritual is an evolutionary method developed by Daan van Kampenhout, born from his considerable study of Family Constellations and Shamanic ritual practices. Daan realized that melding the powers of family constellations and Systemic Ritual can effectively address personal challenges by ultizing the power of the collective field.

Traditional Family Constellation methods focus on pinpointing the origin of individual or family problems, Systemic Ritual embraces the entire abstract essence of a family’s story. This approach allows for the transformation of long-held issues into collective archetypal themes, making each ritual meaningful and relevant to all participants.

Under Susanne’s guidance, we will access the ancestor field through Systemic Ritual in relation to family issues, including entanglements, conflicts, and destructive patterns. Drawing on the rich tradition of Shamanic practice, honoring the cardinal directions, and incorporating the rhythmic sound of the drum, prayers, and structured patterns, each ritual can be a meaningful, relevant, powerful tool for healing and unity in our everyday lives.

Susanne’s approach is spiritual, yet down to earth. With her passion for travelling and immersing herself in different cultures, combined with all the knowledge she has gained, she is a teacher with her own style and is open-hearted to all that is.

Host: Candyce L Rusk, Austin Constellations Circle

Candyce L Rusk, Family Systemic Constellation Facilitator, intuitive, energy practitioner and playwright, is very pleased to welcome Susanne Hazen and her powerful therapeutic and fascinating work to Austin.

Candyce discovered Susanne’s on-line, overseas Systemic Ritual coursework in 2022. Impressed with her skillful blending of family constellations and distinctive shamanic ritual, Candyce realized the inherent power, clarity and resources the combination brings to traditional Constellations.

Empower Yourself: Connecting with Strength-Giving Ancestors

Every choice we make must be made with the next seven generations in mind.
Wisdom of American Indians.

In a narrow sense, our ancestors are our relatives with whom we have a blood relationship. In a broader sense, it also means joint relatives from earlier times, from which we descend collectively – as humanity, nation, community, and population group. This blog is about the first definition – the family.

For ONLINE circles – see: online-circles-systemic-ritual/
For the ONLINE course – 8 workshops – Systemic Ritual as a tool for healing family connections, see: /systemic-ritual-with-family-themes-and-ancestors/
For IN PERSON Ancestral work in Amsterdam, see: /het-helen-van-onze-voorouderlijnen/

OUR history begins before we are born. We represent the hereditary influences of our race, and our ancestors virtually live in us. James Nasmyth

Deep connection with our ancestors

The field of our ancestors has a lot of effect on us. The family’s energy field – the blood bond – is strong enough to influence descendants for generations. In this field are the relatives who have produced children and those who died young or remained childless.

The family is a system, and everyone within that system is connected, whether we are aware of it or not. Every person in a family is connected to all other relatives, even if they are long dead or concealed. One also remains connected with family members who have been excluded or rejected.

I was born by myself but carry the spirit and blood of my father, mother and my ancestors. So I am really never alone. My identity is through that line.
Ziggy Marley

Empower or disprove

This connection with our ancestors can strengthen and weaken us – depending on who you are attuned to. When you are attuned to ancestors who are in good shape, it gives you inner strength. However, being attuned to ancestors who are still suffering can weaken you—especially when you unconsciously want to take away their pain, cry their tears, and take on their burden. That is not possible. You are only strong enough to carry your own burden. You can’t wear other people’s burdens. This entanglement can be resolved through a Family Constellation or Systemic Ritual. Both in a family constellation and in a Systemic Ritual, the suffering of one or more ancestors is made visible, and the aim is to alleviate and, if possible, heal this suffering.

We are a continuum. Just as we reach back to our ancestors for our fundamental values, so we, as guardians of that legacy, must reach ahead to our children and their children. And we do so with a sense of sacredness in that reaching.
Paul Tsongas

Suffering of ancestors

Life has its joys but also its traumas. Traumas can continue for a long time – even in descendants generations later. These are major traumas – miscarriages, abortions, divorces, children who died, mothers or fathers who died early and left behind young children, alienations, loss of home, having to flee, forced migrations, victims and perpetrators of all forms from abuse of power (from rape to slavery), war traumas ……….
Ancestors who have experienced these kinds of things have to deal with it even after death. Even after death, they still need healing. Therefore, in many cultures, there is still the idea that ancestors need prayers and rituals to bring healing, after which they can join those who have already found peace. In a healed state, they can have a supportive effect on the descendants.

Tuning in to strength-giving ancestors

Fortunately, it is not only traumatic experiences stored in the field of our ancestors that can affect us. Many good experiences are also stored in that field. We can connect with that to experience wholeness and strength. When the line to ancestral power is open, life takes on direction and meaning, and we can handle difficulties – which are therefore experienced as a challenge rather than a problem.
Strength-giving ancestors are usually ancestors that are at least two or three generations away from us. They have already healed the wounds of their lives and can transfer the life force. You can tune in to these ancestors.
This idea comes from shamanism. The concept of strength is central to shamanism. When someone does not feel well, a search for power sources is needed within the shamanistic viewpoint. People can connect with those power sources to strengthen themselves. With that power, they can then take the next step in solving their problem to feel better again.

These were my sources for this blog:
Van Kampenhout, D. (2001) Beelden van de ziel. Over de werking van de ziel in sjamanistische Rituelen en Familieopstellingen. Altamira-Becht, Haarlem.
Van Kampenhout, D. (2007). De tranen van de voorouders. Opstellingen en rituelen bij collectieve trauma’s. Altamira-Becht, Haarlem.
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voorouder
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/james_nasmyth_316729?src=t_ancestors