No 141 Spring 2010 $7.75W e’ve all come to expect another gathering season ahead with gatherings from Asia to Zuni Mountain. Yet as we look to a new season of gatherings and coming together, RFD would like to take some of your time to harken back to earlier days. The summer issue will be a mix of upcoming gathering news, reports from various gathering communities and sanctuaries (So please send in news about your community!). At the least send us word of your upcoming events. We are also looking for submissions regarding the southern roots of our faerie gathering culture by asking you to send in stories, photos and artwork relating to community building and early gatherings in the South. We’re especially interested in hearing from folks with recollections on LASIS (Louisiana Sis- sies in Struggle), Running Water (an early home for RFD!) and Running Water’s offspring, the long running Gay Spirit Visions. But also feel free to submit work which re- flects the gathering culture and community as a whole. Please send in your articles, photos and art- work to submissions@rfdmag.org with “Summer 2009” in the subject line. Unless it is not possible for you to send items for submissions any other way we prefer you send them electronically. Articles should be text only, single spaced and no paragraph indents. Photos and artwork should be scanned in a TIFF file (preferred but very high quality JPEG okay) in a file which is at least 1 megabyte in size with a minimum of 300 dpi. If in doubt, scan im- ages at highest quality. Coming in the Summer 2010 Issue … “Gatherings, Gatherings Everywhere”RFD 141 • Spring 2010 Revolutionary Fae Discourse Behind the Lines The Heart Circle Issue Vol 36 No 3 #141 Spring 2010 On October 30, 2009, The NY Times posted an im- age of Hillary Clinton meeting with Pakistani tribal lead- ers, and they were all sitting in a circle! (http://www.ny- times.com/2009/10/31/world/asia/31clinton.html?_r=1) “WOW, look at that,” I thought - our Secretary of State using a method of human communing known to these tribal leaders - and to us, dear readers. While I under- stood that Hillary was playing to the sentiments of her hosts, I wondered what she might have learned from this form of interaction. Did they pass a talisman? When was the last time you sat in a circle and passed a talisman? Last year, as we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the first Faerie gathering, I thought it was a good moment to look at the communal activity called the Heart Circle. This issue is the response we received from faeries around the world. The articles herein include a series of personal experiences, problems perceived about circle practice and ways in which some have used heart circles within and outside the faerie community. My thanks to the many who have generously contributed so much to this issue. When you think about it, the Heart Circle is probably the only institution persisting in a community that is built on anarchy. And of course - to our thinking - it is perfect- ly rational that a circle is the organizing principle where everyone’s autonomy is sacrosanct, for only in a circle can all be equal. No leaders, every voice is to be heard. All the circle asks is that you speak from your heart, pass the talisman, sit and listen. So simple. And yet - why has it become so hard to sit in circle? There is a perception that those sitting in circles at gath- erings are but a fraction of all present. Outside of gather- ings, how many heart circles are available in your neck of the woods, town or urban setting? And if they were - would you be there? Excuse me for preaching to the choir - for the readership of this zine might really over- lap the fey demographic of those who DO attend heart circles! Yet, speaking from my heart, I am concerned that heart circles are no longer in vogue, have burned out too many over the years, and/or are not cool enough for the younger set, newbies who are not initiated into the ways of faerie culture. We have all sat through endless circles in which many either do not speak from their heart, deliver inane thoughts about the state of the world, or rant and rave as they hold everyone emotional hostages to their egos’ needs. Humanity is a messy business. As faeries, we work in a paradigm that celebrates each other’s individuality, which includes the light and shadow sides of the person- ality. Our communal strength (like the definition of the word faggot) comes from the binding together we achieve through loving one another as we hold hands on the in- tersecting paths of our lives. Celebrating diversity means we create space for emotional healing and support. And if you are following my line of thinking, heart circles are the place where we provide this crucial support for one another. Our fey elders, from the beginning of this movement, wisely incorporated heart circles as the mode of commu- nion within our gatherings, wherever they occur. A Heart Circle is subject/Subject thinking put into practice. Every voice is heard, a radical departure from hetero-normative society built on hierarchies of power. Every person hon- ored, everyone’s beliefs acknowledged = true democracy. What a breath of fresh air, what a challenge to the status quo! Harry Hay taught me that if a question needs to be answered, “Honey, ask the circle!” In circle, no one person has to know all the answers, no one person needs to be better (or worse) than the one sitting on his/her left or right. Together we create space for ALL! What do Heart Circles demand of us? Presence and patience, so different in this culture of sound bites and Twitter! Most of the time in circle is spent listening, as we only get the talisman once in a go-around. Being present to one another in circle communicates something very powerful–I care enough about you to witness you pour out your heart. This is how we create a container for heal- ing one another; this is how we, as faeries, create commu- nity. And it is done simply through sitting, and listening. Some of the most profound wisdom I’ve ever heard has occurred while listening to the eloquence of deeply felt pain courageously shared in circle. Simple is strong! Sitting in circle teaches us the learned skill of really hearing each other, something rare in our current politi- cal culture. Whenever I am in faerie space, I often feel like I am living in the future. If only others could have this experience; this ability to sit down with another and simply listen. What might this world look like if more di- plomacy was conducted through sitting in circle, every nation having equal status - and listening to one another = really listening! When is the next time you will sit in Heart Circle? –Rosie Delicious for the RFD collective RFD 141 • Spring 2010 CONTENTS On the Covers Front: Drawing by Rosie Delicious Back: Painting by Michael Goettee Inside front cover: Photo Keith Gemerek Inside back cover: Photo Matt Bucy Production Bambi Gauthier, Editor in Chief Rosie Delicious, Guest Editor Bo Young, Guest Editor Myrlin, Prison Pages Editor Middle, Health Editor Jason Schneider, Editor Eric Linton, Editor Matt Bucy, Design & Typography Michel DuBois, Treasurer Image Credits Chilly 33 Covelo 35 Keith Gemerek 8, 19 Kwai Lam 27 Matt Bucy 9, 13, 14, 18, 23, 32, 34, 37 Michael Goettee 12, 22, 24, 25 Rosie Delicious 38 Seth Grad 42 Artist Links RFD appreciates the following artists whose work appears in this issue: Cobra www.artbycobra.com Chilly ckring27@yahoo.com Keith Gemerek kgny@aol.com Kwai www.kwailam.com RFD is a reader written journal for gay people which focus- es on country living and encourages alternative lifestyles. We foster community building and networking, explore the diverse expressions of our sexuality, care for the environ- ment, radical faerie consciousness, nature-centered spiri- tuality, and share experiences of our lives. RFD is produced by volunteers. We welcome your participation. The busi- ness and general production are coordinated by a collec- tive. The collective has a listserv for those who wish to get involved at http://groups.google.com/group/rfd-produc- tion/ Features and entire issues are prepared by different groups in various places. We print in New England. RFD (ISSN# 0149-709X) is published quarterly for $25 a year by RFD Press, P.O. Box 302, Hadley MA 01035-0302. Post- master: Send address changes to RFD, P.O. Box 302, Had- ley MA 01035-0302 Non-profit tax exempt #62-1723644, a function of RFD Press with office of registration at 231 Ten Penny Rd., Woodbury, TN 37190. RFD Cover Price: $7.75. A regular subscription is the least expensive way to receive it four times a year. Copyright © 2010 RFD Press. The re- cords required by Title 18 U.S.D. Section 2257 and associ- ated with respect to this magazine (and all graphic material associated therewith on which this label appears) are kept by the custodian of records at the following location: RFD Press, 231 Ten Penny Road, Woodbury TN 37190. Behind the Lines ..........................................................1 Announcements, Gathering Guide & Faerie Finder ............................2 This issue’s feature: Heart Circles The Faeries Gather. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Cawley ............4 The Power of the Heart Circle .....................Mountaine ...............6 A Stranger Amongst Them .......................Stitch ...................8 One From the Heart .............................Mark Thompson ..........9 What Heart Circle Means To Me ..................Gecko ..................10 Heart Circles ....................................Chas Nol ...............11 Techno Circle ...................................Penny ..................12 I Got Blessed ....................................Ingo Scholtysek ..........13 Awkward and I Have Become Close Friends ........Gecko Jeff ...............16 A Heart Circle Story .............................Steve Culbertson ........18 Heart Circles: The Hearts of Radical Faerie Gatherings ...Rosemary for Remembrance, Steve Muchnick ....19 The Journey .....................................Shokti ..................20 Shy Circle ......................................Shiloh ..................20 Poetry ............................Steve Culbertson, Wow, Howie Sue .......21 Heart Circle ....................................Jaybird .................22 Let It Rip .......................................Butterfly ................22 Totnes Circle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ladslove ................22 Man as Harmonious Instrument ..................Martin Kennedy .........22 Sticks & Stones ..................................Paulo ...................23 Retooling a Tribal Technology ....................Alwyn de Wally ..........23 All About Heart Circles ..........................Mohabee Serrano ........24 The Vessel ......................................SwampLily ..............25 Healing Space Patrick James Geise aka WoW .........26 Heart Circle ....................................Nikira ..................26 Cobra’s Carvings .................................Cobra ...................27 Street Candy .....................................David Wright ............28 I Want To Die In Heart Circle .....................William Stewart .........28 The Death and Rebirth of the NYC Heart Circle or There’s No Place Like Home ..................Delphi ..................29 Reflections on the Heart Circle ....................Leopard .................31 Heart Circles! Why? ..............................Cole ....................32 Atlanta Heart Circle ..............................Chilly ...................33 The Heart Circle as a Community Organizing Tool ..Don Kilhefner ...........34 Taking The Talking Circle Out Into The World ......Covelo ..................35 Facilitated Heart Circles ..........................Rosie Delicious ...........36 The Rubber Gloves ...............................Wes Hartley .............37 Ocean of Sorrows ................................C. Colorado Jones ........38 Longest Night ...................................Demian .................40 An Interview With Franklin Abbott ................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Harry ‘n’ John’s Ashes .............................Jerry the Faerie ..........46 Remembrances ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Prison Pages .....................................Myrlin ..................52 ChillyRFD 141 • Spring 2010 ANNOUNCEMENTS Sex Magick 2010 Twice the Bliss The Circle of Loving Companions calls out to our dear Faerie, Billy and Pagan friends as we prepare for two Sex Magick Workshops this year. Created by Harry Hay as a culmination of his lifelong desire for sa- cred intimacy among gay men, Sex Magick is a week-long process that brings together 15 heart-centred men and three experi- enced facilitators for an exploration of love, sex and intimacy. From Saturday, May 29 to Saturday, June 5, 2010, we return to the land where Sex Magick began — Wolf Creek Faerie Sanctu- ary. Pitch a tent for a luscious week amongst the breathtaking and sacred landscape. A second workshop is tentatively scheduled to take place at Sassafras Community, Tennes- see in mid September. Check our website for updates as these plans manifest. We ask that participants come with ex- perience at Heart Circle, a tradition of the Radical Faeries; those from other gay men’s spiritual traditions are encouraged to speak with the facilitators about their familiarity and comfort with these practices. Prior to attending, all participants will take part in a gate-keeping conversation with one of the facilitators. We ask that you plan to attend for the entire week. The registration cost of $550 includes meals, snacks and a donation to the Sanctuary, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds (NOTAFLOF). For more information, please visit our website at: www.faeriesexmagick.org With love and blessings, Chas, Marcus and Rosie The Sex Magick Collective sexmagickcollective@gmail.com This guide was written on the fly by visiting the various community websites but with especial thanks to www. radfae.org. These communities may have other gatherings and events not listed here. So please visit their individual websites or contact them directly. If you would like your com- munity event listed here please send it in at least two to three months before the event. April Eco-Homo, a permaculture gathering at Wolf Creek Sanctuary in OR, April 3-11, 2010 Spring in the Air Gathering at Whaley Hall, Apr 9 - 10 (contact Edward Carpenter Community) Beltane at Folleterre in France, Apr 27 - May 3, 2010 May Beltane at Short Mountain Sanctuary (date TBA) Beltane at Wolf Creek (dates TBA) Beltane at Folleterre in France, Apr 27 - May 3, 2010 Rheingolds Gatherette in Germany, May 13-16, 2010 (Contact Folleterre) Victoria Day Gathering at Amber Fox, May 21 - 21 June Idapalooza Fruit Jam at IDA, Jun 2 - 7, 2010 Edward Carpenter Commu- nity’s 25th Anniversary Gay Men’s Week at Laurieston Hall, Jun 19 - 26 July Canada Day Gathering at Amber Fox, Jul 1 - 5 Faerie Spirit Gathering at Kawashaway, Jul 1 - 6, 2010 Midwest Men’s Festival July 20 - 29 www.midwestmensfestival. com Summer Gathering at Fol- leterre in France, Jul 22 - Aug 2, 2010 23rd Annual High Summer Gathering at Amber Fox, July 28 - Aug 1 August Lammas Gathering at Ka- washaway, Aug 6 - 15, 2010 Laurieston Gay Men’s Week at Laurieston Hall, Aug 9 - 16 (contact Edward Carpenter Community) Queer Shaman Gathering at Zuni Mountain, Aug 13 - 22 Grasmere Gay Men’s Week at Grasmere Youth Hostel, Aug 21 - 28 (contact Edward Carpenter Community) Berlin Wannsee Gathering in Germany, Aug 21-29, 2010 (Contact Folleterre) Summer Gathering at Bre- itenbush, Aug 18 - 22, 2010 Blue Heron Farm Gathering, Aug 30 - Sept 6 (set up Aug 28 - 29). thompsbs@tds.net September Autumn Equinox at Fol- leterre in France, Sep 17-22, 2010 21st Annual Gay Spirit Vi- sions Fall Conference Sept 30 - Oct 3, Highlands, NC www. gayspiritvisions.org October Los Angeles Faerie Gather- ing, Oct 7-11, 2010 Thanksgiving Gatherette at Amber Fox, Oct 8 - 11 LumberJanes Gathering at Folleterre in France,Oct 15- 25, 2010 Autumn Gathering at Whaley Hall, Oct 22 - 24 (contact Edward Carpenter Community) Faerie Sanctuaries and Faerie Friendly Organizations Amber Fox McDonald’s Corners, On- tario, Canada akaamberfox.blogspot.com Breitenbush (Cascadia Radi- cal Faerie Resource) www.radfae.org/breitenbush Edward Carpenter Com- munity BM ECC London WC1N 3XX United Kingdom contactecc@dwardcarpen- tercommunity.org.uk www.dwardcarpentercom- munity.org Faerie Camp Destiny P.O. Box 517 Chester, VT 04143-0517 info@faeriecampdestiny.org www.faeriecampdestiny.org Faeryland P O Box 495 Nimbin, N.S.W. 2480 02 6689 7070 ozfaeries@yahoo.com www.ozfaeries.com Folleterre Ternuay-Melay-et-Saint- Hilaire France info@folleterre.org www.folleterre.org Gay Spirit Visions P.O. Box 339 Decatur, GA 30031-0339 info@gayspiritvisions.org www.gayspiritvisions.org IDA 904 Vickers Hollow Rd Dowelltown, TN 37059 615-597-4409 idapalooza@gmail.com www.planetida.com Kawashaway Sanctuary P.O. Box 581194 Minneapolis, MN 55458 www.kawashaway.org Midwest Men’s Festival http://www.midwestmens- festival.com/ Nomenus (Wolf Creek Sanc- turary) Wolf Creek Sanctuary P.O. Box 312 Wolf Creek, OR 97497 541-866-2678 nomenus@hughes.net www.nomenus.org Santa Cruz Radical Faeries www.santacruzradicalfaer- ies.com Short Mountain Sanctuary 247 Sanctuary Lane Liberty, TN 37095 615-563-4397 Messages only Starland Yucca Valley CA www.starlandcommunity.org Zuni Mountain Sanctuary P.O. Box 636 Ramah, NM 87321 505-783-4002 zunimtn@wildblue.net www.zms.org Corrections? Send them to submissions@rfdmag.org with “corrections” in the subject. Announcements can be sent to the same address. Please be sure to list “announcement” in the subject line! GATHERING GUIDE & FAERIE FINDER Order Back Issues $5-25 each Plus shipping submissions@rfdmag.org email for prices and to order RFD 141 • Spring 2010 During Labor Day Weekend 1979, a group of about 200 gay men from around the United States and Canada met at a desert sanctuary 40 miles outside Tuc- son, Ariz. The event, called “A Spiritual Gather- ing for Radical Faeries,” was the brain- child of Harry Hay, one of the founders of the Mattachine Society, one of the first organizations of the modern gay rights movement in the U.S. It was his belief that we, as gay men, as faeries, could re- discover our collective past and use that knowledge of magic and love to shape our futures. Ten years after Stonewall, the time had come to foment a strategy for change derived from our own experiences and feelings rather than the predominant straight culture. The following was my way of relating the events of that weekend as mythology. Over those three days I began to see that as faeries, we had always existed. I used the power of connecting the events of those days to our collective unconscious and to the magic of the archetype. “T ime has come!” declared Harry, the Elder. “He-man has gone too far! Though our spirits are ever-young, his evils wear away these fragile bodies. Before we are called to leave them, let us gather as once we did in days past. I long to hear the music of laughter from our kinfolk.” “Oh yes, my love, yes!” exclaimed Brotherjohn. “I, too, would see our fa- erie brothers and sprinkle them with sweet kisses and hugs.” Don Bushbeard joined in. “I shall help send the call. Let us form a circle and sing out with our hearts and voices.” He stretched out his arms, closed his eyes, and beamed quietly. And so it was. From coast to coast, from north to south, silent voices sang out. And everywhere faeries bells tin- kled softly. In the cities, wearing their Manmasks and gaysexobject garb, faeries heard the call. Whether alone on in isolated groups, country faerie ears perked up. The outrageous ones, the Quiets, those faeries who were almost totally invisible, even to themselves; even they heard the call and set out to join the Great Circle, The Convocation of Faeries. Meanwhile, in an oasis, far away, in the desert, SwamiBill, heard the call. “Friends!” he shouted to his little family, “We must prepare! Our Sister- brothers come!”In his big heart there were excited little flutters, but he added gruffly, “Sillysissies all over our chaste little Ashramsweethome! I can hear their cackling now.” He mock grimaces and put his hands over his ears, but no one missed the twinkle in his eyes. Animals heard the tinkling bells, too. Birds twittered, donkeys brayed, but- terflies flitted nervously. “Dear, oh dear! Will they remember us? Are we safe to welcome them? Some look so much like He-man. We must keep up our guard and be certain they are Trueheart Faer- ies.” They all agreed to be courteous but maintain their own space. So the gathering was set. Dust fell from many stiff, little-used wings. Some had never stretched their wings to fly be- fore. The shuddered with apprehension and anticipation. Others who had once flown, only to be shot down by Manst- ings, wept. Their scars hurt deeply but they held themselves and each other and their tears healed them. Patching their tattered wings, they resolved to try once more. A few faeries heard the bells as they glided and danced in the air. Smiles sparkles and their brightly-colored wings made a rainbow for all to see. “O joyous day! Calloo, callay! Sing to the flowers, shout to the breeze. We meet again!” One small circle of faeries from the City of Angels fought their way across barren desert land. The dark work of He- man’s magic turned against them. But these were smog-smart faeries familiar with the freeways. Peter Rabbit suggest- ed to Lady Day that they make an offer- ing of their large water jug to appease the creature which bore them across the miles. Slowly they made their way to the sanctuary, stopping many times to slake the creature’s thirst. At the sanctuary, the Elders convened. Even with the light in their hearts, their Maleminds gave way to tiny prickles. Even so, problems were soon solved as they began to feel the waves of love rushing toward them. They knew every- thing would be fine. As the opening date approached, even the shyer creatures of the desert, the rabbits, snakes, and birds, peaked out to see the arrival of the multi-hued faeries. Midweek, three faeries from the Northlands arrived on a high flyer: one from the Creek of Wolves, two from the City of Saint Francis, lover of small crea- tures. Elder Harry and the Seer Mitch greeted them and all were transported to the sanctuary. Each brought with him as did all the faeries at the gathering, gifts to share. And they were greeted by hordes of butterflies decorating the en- tryway. Carl brought the wonder of flute and dance, LaRee had packed an exten- sive wardrobe of Silliness, and Dayvd held his magic wand. The earliest arrivals shared in the preparations. The aroma of baked loaves of love perfumed the air; pathways were cleared on the land, signs painted to mark the way. Of course there were a few unfaerielike plans and details requir- ing attention, but everyone pitched in to help, and soon all was in readiness. Bright faeries flew in from all around, scores in all descriptions, big and small, short and tall, dark and fair, young and old, rich and poor. Faeries, faeries, as far as the eyes could see! And although there were many who could not bring their hardselves to the gathering, their spirits wove a tapestry of light and love to make the presence known. The first great circle was convened. Bright faeries relaxed beneath a cool- ing arbor. Overhead, birds chirped ex- citedly, wondering what was to come. Invocations were made from points around the circle. Faerie voices sang out. Into the center of the circle, they stepped, one by one. Each offered a feeling, some hope or an idea for all to consider and share. Time slowed down to allow the variety of styles to emerge. Faerie facets reflected in the waning sunlight. The Faeries Gather A True Tale as Told by David CawleyRFD 141 • Spring 2010 2 A nd with each voice from the great circle, particles of crust and calluses fell away from each faerie. Sighs of relief and relaxation joined to form a refresh- ing breeze. Soon they were naked again. Stripped of defenses, of anxieties and worries, free from the ugly, green frog skin which had hidden those beautiful faerie princes, they were free, free at last, free once more. The faeries had come home again! For three days and nights did the faeries delight. Splish, splash in the water they played. Or sang they softly in the shade. All loving one, loving all. Some had a ball. Others balled. Bland masks fell from faer- ies faces. Colors sparkled in their places. Dreamers of love, lovers of dreams, sis- terbrothers on the mend, healing, feeling, reeling, soaring upwards. Caring, sharing the same cup, spirits rose, up, up, up! Some sat in little circles and spoke their hearts with each other’s words. A band of Earth Ones scampered out into the desert, discovered a dry streambed and brought buckets of water to make mudlucious monkeyshines in the sun, covering them with a coat of mud and decorating their bodies with twigs. A time beyond time recovered in reveling. Others danced and sang, paddled in the pool or were just quiet and contempla- tive. Hugs abounded and kisses flour- ished. Work was play and play was more play. Chores were carried out smoothly guaranteeing that everyone had lots of good food to eat, enough to drink and as much loving as they could stand! And as those in the know know, many faeries are horned creatures and have mag- ic in their wands. Be they large or little, the faeries loved to stroked those wands and to drink deeply from each other’s horns. Murraybear brought forth a circle of faeries to touch and heal each other with their sexmagic. Dayvd offered to share his worship of Orobrorus, the serpent which consumes itself.“ Use the meditation tent,” said Swa- mibill, as he knew the value of the magic Dayvd shared. And so many seeds were sown. Freely and openly, the faeries made love, on the carpet of grass, in tents, on covers on the sand, faerie to faerie, man to man. Past, present, and future melded. Time became as silly as the Sillysissies who made joyous offerings to the gods and goddesses of their kind. “O Diana, o Bar- bra, o Marilyn, Judy and Bette! Let us sing the songs of the Bards of the Great White Way and the Town of Mow. Chirp like crickets, warble like birds. Let us sing out songs of survival, hymns of our hope!” 3 T hen, as in a flash, like the white light- ning that lit up the night sky, the days disappeared. A great circle was called for the last night together. All day the faeries flitted about with expectant smiles and goofy grins. Their true faces were painted on in rainbow colors. Flowing gowns were draped; flowers adorned each beautiful, unique faerie body. Faerie dust was sprin- kled from faerie fingers Some took on the task of construct- ing a framework for the evening’s ritual. Throughout the day, plans were laid for the Great Circle. Song and dances were devised, and a path was set for the grand procession. The lavender sunset darkened to vio- let. Clouds floated and stars sparkled, the moon filled with the light of faerie love and rose to show the way. Musicians led the procession out into the desert night. Instruments blended in harmonies with the music of the night For a time a hush fell over the proces- sion. Wonderment and awe brought tears to faerie eyes as hand in hand, one and all they met in the night. From out of nowhere a white bull appeared to see what was dis- turbing the silence of his land and just as suddenly, it disappeared. A circle path met with the circle of faeries who stood arm in arm and gently rocked around another circle spiraling into the center. Again, invocations were made. Voices filled the darkness. Send blessings to the night, to the shadows, to the light, to the trees, to the hills, to the birds and the bees, to the faerie knees. Magic spilled from fa- erie lips; calls to the glad to the tragic, to the peaks and the dips and to the faeries’ hips! Beloved David, the mythmaker, in- toned words of love from our Forebear, the Whitman. We were a community of loving brothers, now and forever. Phillip of the Moon gave testimony. Sing hallelujah, give praise! I believe in fa- eries! I do believe! I do! I do! Make offer- ings to the Great Goddess: from Aurora, from Oakleaf, from Crazy Owl. Hurtful energies were released, healthful ones ab- sorbed. There was ecstatic dancing and singing. True lunacy abounded! When the procession returned to the arbor, Smiling Gene led a sitdown, mon- key dance. Sprites dancing, spirits swirl- ing, faster and faster, side to side. Then there came the delicate waterbrother cer- emony, with jugs blessed with faeries spir- its, faerie love was passed from brother to brother. Each served the other equally. When the ritual finally wound down everyone drifted off to sleep. Some slept alone, others in pairs. Some stayed awake for a time to sing late into the night. A circle with Swamibill shared dish at a poolside table. Chortling, cackling, faerie voices laughing and joking with each oth- er until they, too, felt their eyelids heavy with sleep and crept off to bed. 4 I n the morning, even before a farewell circle could be convened, some of the faeries had flown away. Reluctant to de- part, one by one, the came to realize their duty. The sanctuary had provided a breed- ing ground for new hope and ideas for the world within and without. The time had come to take that energy back to trans- form the old “realities.” A last sharing, a final invocation was made. Tears of pain and anguish mixed with those of strength and determination. Round and round a circle of faeries from the Southlands turned. Sensitivity and empathy we feel for our sisters who suffer as we do under the bloody fist of He-man: “Let us scream and yell and vent the rage! Cry! That his power be diminished soon. His dominion over the Earth has been un- forgivably abused. No more! No more! No more!” As it had begun, the gathering ended, with tears like crystal bells chiming as they fell from faerie eyes. Hug and kisses and addresses were exchanged as depar- tures began. Into the Man’s machines the faeries folded their wings and disappeared into the desert’s dust. But in a way, they never left. Hearts bonded once so strong stay bonded deeply, bonded long. In our dreams, once again we awake to sleep the reality of what is until we arise to make the actuality of what shall be. So be it! And there is no end, only sweet faretheewells till we meet again. • All rights reserved, ©1979. As originally published in RFD Magazine, 1980. RFD 141 • Spring 2010 I was lucky. The first time I went to a Radical Faerie Gathering (Fall of 1992 at Short Mountain), my orientation in- cluded where to eat, where to sleep, where to pee and poop, and where to gather for Heart Circle. I understood that the Heart Circle to be, literally, the “heart” of the gathering, the place where we paid attention to each other in a deep way. I knew I could have fun socializing, hanging out for hours over coffee and conversation, giving lots of focus to dress up and drag and theater, and ritualizing and partying together. But when I got to a Heart Circle, I knew immediately that it was different. Here I could be very, very real. Since then, I’ve experienced many glorious hours of listening deeply to my fellow Faeries, and then having the tal- isman passed to me, enticing me to dig deeply into myself, so as to find some- thing to say that mattered. Because I love this format so much, I want to share that love, dear reader, with you. Note that these comments and views are my own (except when others are quoted), so en- joy them with a grain of Celtic sea salt. History M ost Faeries think of the origins of the Heart Circle as Native Ameri- can. Many articles can be found on the Internet which refer to an old tradition of bringing a decorated “talking stick” or an eagle feather to council meetings or other gatherings, and using it as a sacred object to indicate who “has the floor,” so to speak, in discussions. But this seems to have varied greatly depending on the tribe. In recent years, Clyde Hall has become well known among many Faeries through his attendance at Breitenbush gatherings in Oregon and also through his sharing the ancient ceremony of healing and re- newal known as “The Naraya: A Dance for All People” at the Wolf Creek and Short Mountain Faerie Sanctuaries. Clyde is a Shoshone/Metis elder - an acknowledged authority on Native American culture. I asked him about the talking stick, and he said it wasn’t part of his tribe’s traditions. “Growing up on the reservation and attending all kinds of meetings and ‘do- ings’ as a child and young adult,” Clyde said, “a stick was never used. When men got together to have a discussion of im- portance, the pipe was smoked. When that ceremony was done, and the pipe was taken apart, then the matter at hand was discussed again. It was just a simple courtesy that the person speaking was not interrupted and given due respect. It is part of our unwritten teachings on so- cial conduct called the tenni-wapp. I do think it’s funny that here on the reserva- tion, the people use a stick now, in talk- ing circles and at certain other times. So it has become a ‘tradition’ amongst the Shoshone people, but a new one!” It is clear that the tribes of the Iro- quois used an object called a “roll call cane” or “condolence cane” to focus their sharing. Charlie Patton, a Mohawk elder who attends some of the Naraya ceremo- nies, spoke of this with Clyde, who re- calls: “Apparently the cane was passed at the beginning of long house ceremonies or other meetings to the various ‘bands’ or clan chiefs to identify who was in at- tendance at the meeting. It was a kind of check-in, and speeches were said as well at that time. Charlie told me it was called a condolence cane because when the cane was first presented to the clan chief by the women, who chose the leader, it gave him his authority and recognition. The women felt sorry for him, because of the heavy burden of leadership that was now his, so it was called ‘condolence cane’ for that reason.” In some tribes, if a person wanted to bring up a potentially contentious is- sue, they would bring their own stick to a meeting, and hold it while speak- ing; sometimes there was an “answering feather” which was passed to others who wanted to respond. In other tribes, it was traditional to hang a talking stick on the west wall of the home. Any family mem- ber was empowered to take it down when they felt the need for a serious discus- sion. As soon as someone held the stick, all other work stopped, the family sat in a circle, and the person who had retrieved the stick expressed concerns. Then the stick was passed, and others shared their feelings about the topic, until some kind of resolution was achieved. There are also reports that the use of a talking stick is found in cultures around the world. In modern times, it began to be used widely in the Seventies, as the human potential movement gained mo- mentum, and people saw the value of listening deeply to one another. Heart Circles were adopted at the first Faerie Gatherings and the word “talisman” be- gan to be used for the ritual object that was passed. I haven’t been able to dis- cover when or why this happened, but I have a guess. Faeries feel free to pass any object, which they see as sacred, and that object need not be a stick. At the first Radical Faerie Gathering a talisman was used to ensure that every Faerie voice could be heard. Mechanics T he essence of a Heart Circle is the creation of a safe container, in which participants feel free to speak from their hearts without concern for being judged, criticized, or given un- wanted advice. There are a variety of ways of creating the safety of the con- tainer. In general, the more conscious- ness and care is brought to the process, the more likely it is to be meaningful. In many cases, especially when there are people in the Circle who are new to Heart Circles, a facilitator is selected to help provide structure. Depending on the local tradition and the style of the fa- cilitator, there may be an opening ritual to help focus the container. At a large gathering, it is common to call for an- nouncements first; this allows the Heart Circle later to be focused more on feel- ings than on upcoming events. A Tarot Card may be drawn to give a theme to the circle, or the facilitator may suggest a theme (with the caveat that sharing out- side the theme is welcome too). A guided visualization for grounding may be of- fered before the talisman is passed. Typical guidelines given by the facili- tator might include: For each person in the Circle, far more The Power of the Heart Circle by Mountaine (from the upcoming book, “Dancing in the Moonlight: A Radical Faerie Reader,” edited by Don Kilhefner and Mark Thompson)RFD 141 • Spring 2010 time is spent listening than talking. Lis- ten deeply and well. Stay focused -- no “cross-talk” or side conversations. Avoid using your listening time to think about what you are going to say when the talis- man comes to you. The deepest sharing is often unplanned and spontaneous. Don’t interrupt the person speaking -- only the person holding the talisman is empowered to speak. And when it comes your turn to share, avoid com- menting on something another person shared, other than what it brought up in your own heart. When the talisman is passed to you, before you speak, you might want to study it for a moment, to see if it brings up any images in your mind that might inspire your first words. This is one way to start sharing from the moment, spontaneously. Say your name before you begin to speak. This is not only so people get to know your name -- it’s also a way of bringing your complete self into the mo- ment. Speak from the heart! This is diffi- cult to define, but it probably includes an emphasis on feelings over thoughts and beliefs. Use “I” statements whenever possible, not sentences with “we” or “you.” You have full authority to speak of your own experience, but don’t assume that others feel the same way. If you choose not to speak, that’s okay. Pass the talisman in a sunwise (clock- wise) direction, so it moves from you to the person on your left. This has the ritual feel of weaving a web among the participants. Once the talisman has been around the Circle once, it is up to the facilita- tor or the group dynamic whether it is passed again or not. One option is that a second round is for those who didn’t speak the first time. After that, the Circle may end, or the talisman may be put in the center for anyone who would like to pick it up and speak again, or it may be passed around multiple times until ev- eryone feels complete. “What is spoken in the Circle stays in the Circle.” This means that it is in- appropriate to repeat someone’s Heart Circle sharing in a social or gossipy setting. If you want to discuss what a participant said with them later, ask for permission first. Sometimes everyone is asked to commit to this verbally before the Circle begins. In smaller Circles, or Circles in which the participants are experienced with the format, the role of the facilitator can end once the guidelines are estab- lished. At the end, participants may join hands and sing a closing song together, or choose some other way of completing their work together. “Silence during a Heart Circle is a blessing”, says Mohabee, a longtime California Faerie. “This is one of the few times many in the Circle get to re- ally witness silence, which may not oc- cur very often in their lives. Those who attend Heart Circles regularly know it’s best to treat silence reverently, and to practice patience. Rarely does some- one break the silence that might occur in a Circle.” Pitfalls S ometimes a Heart Circle becomes very unpleasant for one or more participants if they feel disempowered by the structure or facilitation style. Here are some suggestions for mini- mizing this: Don’t apply the guidelines too strict- ly; don’t interrupt someone’s sharing in order to enforce the guidelines. One of my most painful moments in Heart Circle was a time when guidelines had been stated clearly, but as often happens, several people (including me) made the mistake of using the word “we” rather than “I” a few times. After being inter- rupted and corrected harshly, it was very difficult for me to find a way back to feel- ing safe in that Circle. Don’t indulge in “hijacking” the Cir- cle for a personal agenda. Heart Circle is not a place for announcements, or gossip, or badmouthing someone who’s offended you. If people start sharing in these ways, the feeling of safety can be seriously compromised. Are people allowed to come and go? Allowing someone to join who wasn’t present for the opening can cause dif- ficulty if the new person isn’t familiar with the guidelines. Usually, among Fa- eries, that is a risk that is taken, to al- low for as much openness as possible. But it can backfire if a strong container has been created, and someone joins the Circle without the sensitivity to pay close attention. Some Faerie traditions make a dis- tinction between a check-in (a quick round, intended to share names and maybe a sentence or two) and a more open-ended Circle. A check-in is espe- cially valuable when there are many peo- ple in the Circle, and some would like a quick taste before moving on to another activity. If the distinction between these is unclear, and people enter a check-in Circle without understanding that the sharing must be kept very short (or if they don’t want to restrict themselves to that), uncomfortable chaos can ensue. Often, if a check-in format is used, those who want a longer Circle may reconvene once the check-in is completed. Glories I asked some Faeries for their com- ments on the power of Heart Circles, so this article wouldn’t be entirely in my voice. In response, Teddy Bare said it’s all about connection. He broke this down into three aspects: Connection with one’s self: you are speaking of your feelings and your life situations. You do this sharing in a safe and supportive environment, where you are free to look at parts of yourself that you may have been avoiding. Connection with others: you are re- vealing information about yourself that you may not have revealed to the general public. You do this so as to be more gen- uinely known by those who are present in the Circle. Connection as community: while each person is sharing, the others are listen- ing. Listening with their ears, minds and hearts–empathizing with the speaker, providing a space for them to reveal that which they keep protected. Because peo- ple in the Heart Circle really care about what is being said, and really care about the people who are saying it, a commu- nal bond is created.” Len sent an evocative email beginning with the words “The trick or not the trick is…” and then went on to describe his ex- perience: “The person across the Circle from you says something that stirs your heart and you want to respond. But you hold, let go, and listen. And as others let go and add new heart to the Circle, what you are holding will be let go by some- one else. So pretty soon your heart is ex- ploding with love! Now comes the hard Continued on page 45Next >