Santa Cruz Area Radical Faeries

What is a heart circle? (from RadFae.org)

"Heart circle is one of the central traditions of radical faerie community.
Faeries come together in a circle to speak from the heart, and to listen
to one another through our hearts. Usually a talisman of some kind (a
talking stick, a shawl, a day-glo bubble wand) is used to identify the
faerie who is speaking -- as long as that faerie holds the talisman, that
faerie speaks, without interruption or feedback, and everyone else listens,
with as much attention and compassion as we can muster. In some heart
circles the talisman is passed around the circle and each faerie has that
opportunity to speak or to pass the talisman. In other circles when one
faerie is done speaking, any other faerie may ask for it. Either way,
passing the talisman is an intimate exchange, often accompanied by a hug
or a kiss.

Speaking from the heart is difficult to define, but we know when we're
doing it, and when we're not. The quality of a heart circle comes as much
(or more) from the listening as from the speaking. Many of us have had
some or our most deeply emotional, healing, transformative experiences
in heart circle. A heart circle can go on for a long time. It's generally
okay to join the circle in progress (between speakers, as the talisman
is passed), to take a break, or to leave entirely, although the reason
they go on so long is that they're so wonderful nobody wants to leave."

My favorite metaphor for the heart circle is 'peeling an onion.' The outer layers, or first time around, is dry and papery; each time the circle goes around things get juicier, and tears may flow.

The onion brings up an important point: brevity, especially in the beginning, is encouraged. Keeping it brief makes sure that everyone gets a time to be heard, and also makes space for the magc of multiple rounds to happen.