Systemic Alchemy
What is it?
The term “systemic alchemy” downloaded in 2025 as I was working on the shift to full-time systemic teaching & coaching. Grounded in the systemic constellation tradition, this emerging field is augmented by an understanding of complexity science, relationship systems coaching, Integral theory, and based on an ordinary shaman worldview.
The Collective Edge has always been concerned with taking a systemic view, though truly understanding what systemic means seems uncommonly rare. In an internal whitepaper drafted for the first cohort in systemic alchemy, I wrote:
I have long felt that many business leaders, HR specialists and even change agents and coaches don’t really seem to fully grasp the uniqueness and impact of the term “systemic” and what it actually means. If we are trying to catalyze a shift in a team, a division, an organization – well, they are all systems and we’d best figure out what the implication of that is.
Even that most fundamental of truisms, “the whole is not the sum of the parts,” seems to be inadequately grasped. It would “barely” be an exaggeration to say that the whole and the parts have almost nothing to do with each other, in a sense. More helpful would be to say the individual behaving as part of a system is generally quite unaware of the systemic forces operating at the collective level which shapes their behavior.
Then, critiquing the field of organizational change altogether, I proposed a new frame:
“Sometimes it is better just to make a fresh start.” So began a psychology professor of mine as the opening line of a book that would change psychology. Peter Ossorio argued that sometimes the existing structures of a given intellectual pursuit were so ramshackle as to not be worth building upon, but rather a fresh start was indicated. I believe we need to take a similar approach here…
To be precise, we need an approach that:
is truly systemic;
adequately handles the special nature of complex adaptive systems without getting trapped in Newtonian assumptions about (linear) causality;
recognizes and incorporates the unique and unorthodox type of help available in a spirit-based world, yet without sliding into magical thinking; and
one that makes it possible to work effectively with both individual and systemic consciousness, seeing their separability, as well as their overlap and integration.
When you add this list up, it seems to me a combination of systemic management (the common name is systemic constellations), complexity science, shamanistic practice, and Integral theory would do the job well. What has emerged from lots of reflection, practice and reading in this domain has me calling the field systemic alchemy. My current “definition” is the transmutation of systems into greater, deeper, and wider levels of being fit-for-function, using full presence facilitation to understand those systemic principles, with awareness of our individual and systemic consciousness as catalysts.
We began experimenting with a powerful but basic systemic program called Your Systems Within starting in 2022, introducing practitioners to the ongoing effect of their belonging in various systems, from their family of origin to ancestors to ethnicity to professional education & organizational affiliations. The success of this basic program since gave rise to the creation of a full-scale training program called The Systemic Way.
The first Systemic Way cohort launched in October 2025 and has trained practitioners in the emerging field of systemic alchemy. Systems Within is a prerequisite, with entry to the cohort originally opened on a quarterly basis. The second cohort will launch in early November 2026. Based on the experience in the first cohort, the second will be shortened to 6-months and focused on training systemically-informed coaches. I anticpate growing this program with the assistance of several members of the original cohort who are now steeped in the systemic paradigm.
You can follow the development of The Systemic Way on Michael’s Substack, and check out the program description below.
To see a full-length constellation demo including an introductory talk on systemic work, watch this YouTube by Michael.
On a related note, our partnership with Glenda Eoyang of Pattern Partners continues to bear fruit, as we continue to collaborate, share a worldview, and address wicked problems that grow out of emergent complexity patterns in our program The Dragons of Transformation, available annually.
Offerings
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Your Systems Within
Next program starts Sept 30-Oct 1, 2026
Illuminating the Personal, Ancestral, and Systemic Voices Inside to become a Clearer Vessel.
The intention of the program is to become aware of the systems within you and the systems of which you are a part (those in which you have a place), to notice how these systems can “run” you, at times even compromising your success; at the same time, to see the ways in which they bring you strength.
Our goal will be to Integrate these inner parts, by seeing them clearly, healing , surrendering to and accepting them to heal the wound and own their strength.
This short program is a prerequisite for joining The Systemic Way cohort.
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The Systemic Way
Current cohort underway; New cohort starts early November 2026
Self & systemic alchemy: Where system meets soul
The Systemic Way is a synthesis born from my unique path—blending systems theory, systemic constellations, complexity science, ritual, & Integral theory all converging within a modern, shamanic worldview.
It downloaded as "systemic alchemy," fusing formerly incompatible schools of thought. It means working with the energetic and structural dynamics of human systems—families, teams, organizations, cultures—wherever they arise.
This will make the most sense when grounded within a transrational, purpose-driven orientation. The Systemic Way blends modern science with ancient and emergent wisdom traditions to serve healing and insight at the system level.
This work is for systemically-informed coaches, organizational coaches, OD professionals, systemic facilitators, healing practitioners, and those sensing there’s something more behind the surface patterns of the systems they work in and serve.
This long-term program is the integration of my life’s work. May it benefit beings.
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DEEP SEEING - Ecosystem Dynamics Mapping
Individualized Maps for Solopreneurs & Founders to Unlock ALL of Life
Solopreneurs & founders often carry job, business, family/partner, personal aspirations and dreams as if they live on separate spreadsheets, when in fact they are one interconnected and overlapping system that pushes and pulls on a finite “you.”
Our unique Ecosystem Dynamics Mapping process allows you to see, feel and sense your whole ecosystem at once! You’ll experience the hidden tensions, explore the energy leaks, identifiy the potential synergies and opportunities.
Download the Deep Seeing brochure to learn more.
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"The Systems Within allowed me to understand the systemic patterns that drove my unconscious bus and I am a better leader, father and husband for it. I highly recommend this course. --Steve Petro (on LinkedIn)
"This constellation course [The Systems Within]....is about the things that make you you, and the things that stop you....so I love this course! I got so much out of it, especially for clearing the things inside of me that were holding me back."
—Lyssa Adkins (on LinkedIn -
"The Systemic Way has been one of the most profound experiences of my life. I came with years of experience working with human systems, longing to go deeper into what we cannot always see or explain. I found something I hadn't quite known I was looking for: a space where the mystery that has fascinated me since childhood could finally belong alongside my professional life. Through systemic constellations and working with the field, we have engaged with real organizational challenges, social and geopolitical conflicts, ancestral histories, and deeply personal questions. We have stepped into systems whose members were not even in the room, learning to perceive patterns, exclusions, hidden loyalties, and disruptions in belonging, order, and balance — and to explore what becomes possible when what has been forgotten is finally acknowledged. And somewhere along that journey, the work reached places in me I hadn't expected. For much of my life, belonging has been a question. I've often been the one who sees things differently, names the elephant in the room, or struggles to find my place in the systems I'm part of. Then I began meeting the people whose lives made mine possible — people who had endured loss, left home, survived hardship, and found the courage to begin again. People I had barely known, yet whose lives had made their way into mine. And something moved in me. I began to feel that I come from somewhere. That there is strength behind me. That I can honor those who came before me without carrying all their burdens. And that perhaps some of what I have struggled with in myself also carries gifts from their lives. I came wanting to see more deeply into human systems. I never imagined how much of my own history was waiting to be seen. Or how much of it was waiting to find its way through me. My roots, my spirituality, my humanity, and my work with people and organizations no longer feel like separate journeys. And that changes the place from which I meet the systems I accompany. I am not standing outside them with another method to apply, but bringing more of who I am while making room for what they have not yet been able to recognize. To me, this is the gift of The Systemic Way: a profound education in systemic facilitation that does not separate the facilitator's development from the humanity of the person doing the work. Michael has created something rare. Sharing this first journey with a cohort willing to step into the unknown, reveal themselves, and hold space for one another has been an extraordinary gift. I feel that The Systemic Way found me as much as I found it. I am deeply grateful for what has unfolded in me, for me, and through me. This journey may not be for everyone. But if something in you feels called by it, pay attention. You may come looking for a deeper way to work with human systems. You may discover that the transformation reaches much further than you imagined."
—William Guevara
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"What I couldn't find in any previous developmental program. My name is Diego A. Gil, I'm a certified Expert in Enterprise Coaching from IC Agile, and during all my career I've been aware of how important is to continue developing myself in service of the organizations, leaders and teams I work with. And I have taken them all! Professional coaching program, leadership program, enterprise coaching program, and all those have helped me develop so much for myself as a person as a professional, no doubt. Nonetheless this is the first time something deeper happened. I don't have way to explain how I got here, it was a calling more than a clear need to do something, what was more clear to me is the rational Diego needed to integrate fully the intuition-oriented Diego, that same intuition that got me to take the leap of faith to jump from being a software developer to being an agilist, then a consultant, then join a company to live a 5 year long org transformation from inside, then having a partner in life, then having a kid. Everything is connected, all along my higher-self got for me all these clues to connect me back to my purpose, and this program was one of those once again. I was finally ready for Michael’s teachings. And during this time I have experienced the power of intent, how all the universe is so connected and it's rich knowledge, and how any system is willing to share with us its knowledge for deeper understanding if we were are willing to sense it, to feel it. It's been a really sacred place for me too, share with wonderful human beings, where I have learned from my own systems within and how all of them are present within me, by me side how important is to be at peace with it, to heal, in order to accept life fully all its possibilities. I'm so much more capable of stopping rationalizing all the messages I receive, all the synchronicities, that remain me how all is so connected, which help me be in peace in front of any challenge, since I now know for sure it serves my purpose and what is next for me to learn and integrate. I'm really happy that Michael is choosing to be that channel to help others experience this in such a masterful way. It's truly life changing.”