General BDSM Foundations
BDSM : Acronym for Bondage, Discipline, Dominance/Submission, Sadism/Masochism. Umbrella term for consensual kink, erotic power exchange, and fetish practices.
Consent : Voluntary, informed, enthusiastic agreement, which can be withdrawn at any time. The cornerstone of BDSM ethics.
Negotiation : Pre-scene discussion to clarify desires, boundaries, roles, and limits.
Safeword : A pre-agreed signal or word that instantly pauses or ends play.
SSC (Safe, Sane, Consensual) : Foundational ethic of BDSM prioritizing safety and sanity.
RACK (Risk-Aware Consensual Kink) : Acknowledges risks in BDSM but emphasizes informed consent and responsibility.
Scene : A structured or time-bound BDSM encounter or ritual.
Play : Any consensual BDSM activity, from light fetish to intense ritual.
Subspace : Altered state of trance-like euphoria experienced by a submissive during/after play.
Domspace : Heightened state of presence, power, and focus experienced by a Dominant.
Aftercare : Emotional, physical, and energetic support following a scene (soothing, hydration, grounding, affirmation).
Catharsis : Emotional release during or after play, often through tears, laughter, or shaking.
Integration Practices : Reflection, journaling, grounding, or ritual to process the psychological/spiritual effects of BDSM.
Roles & Archetypes
Dominant (Dom/Domme, Dominatrix) : Partner who leads, guides, or controls within negotiated dynamics. A Dominatrix is a professional Domme, often in FemDom.
Submissive (Sub) : Partner who yields, obeys, or follows.
Servant : A submissive engaged in structured, ongoing devotion and service.
Bottom : Partner who receives sensation or action in a scene, without necessarily submitting psychologically.
Switch : Individual who enjoys both Dominant and submissive roles.
Pet : A submissive embodying animal archetypes (puppy, kitten, pony), often paired with a Handler or Owner.
Brat : A submissive who playfully resists authority, testing the Dominant.
Brat Tamer : A Dominant who enjoys disciplining or “breaking” bratty resistance.
Sadist : One who enjoys inflicting consensual pain or intense sensation.
Masochist : One who enjoys receiving consensual pain or intense sensation.
Fetishist : One who experiences arousal from specific objects, materials, or scenarios.
Archetypes of Conscious Kink : Symbolic roles used for psychological/spiritual play (e.g., Priestess, Shaman, Warrior, Prostitute, Healer).
Slut Archetype : Embodiment of sexual freedom, shamelessness, and erotic service as archetypal power.
Core BDSM Practices
Bondage : Physical restraint (ropes, cuffs, chains).
Rope Suspension : Suspending a submissive’s body using rope harnesses.
Mummification : Full-body immobilization using wrap, tape, or fabric.
Cage Play : Restricting a submissive in a cage or confined space.
Discipline : Training through rules, punishment, or rewards.
Impact Play : Striking with hands or implements (paddle, cane, whip, flogger).
Cane : Flexible rod used in impact play, creating sharp stinging sensation.
Roleplay : Acting out agreed roles (teacher/student, boss/employee, interrogation, medical).
Humiliation/Degradation : Erotic lowering of status via language, acts, or scenarios.
Objectification : Treating a submissive as an object, toy, or property.
Fear Play : Scenes that evoke controlled fear (threats, suspense, predator/prey).
Edge Play : Riskier practices like knife play, blood play, fire play, or breath play.
Needle Play : Piercing skin with sterile needles for pain, ritual, or artistic patterns.
Knife Play : Using blades for fear, sensation, or ritual without intended harm.
Medical Roleplay : Playing doctor/nurse/patient scenarios, often involving clinical tools.
Hypnosis/Mind Play : Erotic trance, suggestion, or mind control roleplay.
Speech Restriction : Preventing verbal expression through gags, orders, or protocols.
Servitude : Submissive fulfills tasks (coffee service, driving, errands).
Service Submission : Ritualized obedience through domestic, ritual, or erotic tasks.
FemDom-Specific Practices
FemDom : Female-led domination where the Domme embodies erotic authority.
Findom : A Domme specializing in financial domination.
Foot Worship : Ritualized adoration of feet (kissing, licking, massaging).
Facesitting/Queening : Erotic dominance by smothering the submissive with the Domme’s body.
Chastity Play : Control of a submissive’s orgasm using chastity devices or rules.
Cuckolding : Erotic humiliation through the Domme’s intimacy with others.
Forced Feminization/Sissy Play : Dressing/acting in exaggerated femininity for humiliation or transformation.
Domestic Domination : Ritualized household authority (maid training, protocol).
Corset/Stocking/Latex/Leather Fetish : Arousal from specific materials and clothing.
Dick Humiliation : Verbal or physical humiliation of the penis.
Ball Busting : Impact play focusing on testicles.
Edging : Denying orgasm repeatedly to heighten control.
Nipple Torture : Intense stimulation of nipples.
Golden Showers (Watersports) : Erotic urination play.
Spitting : Erotic humiliation via spitting.
Ignore Play : Submissive is intentionally disregarded to evoke longing or humiliation.
Financial Domination (Findom)
Tribute : Offering money or gifts to the Domme as devotion.
Drain : Scene centered on financial extraction as surrender.
Financial Control : Domme manages spending, budgets, or accounts.
Allowance Play : Submissive receives controlled “allowance” from Domme.
Wallet Draining : Large, ritualized spending for the Domme’s pleasure.
Luxury Kink : Fetishization of luxury, wealth, and gifting.
Humiliation Spending : Erotic arousal from financial loss.
Financial Deprivation : Withholding money, restricting spending.
Lifestyle Support : Positioning financial tribute as sustaining the Domme’s divine existence.
Service Domination (Conscious Kink)
Conscious Kink : Practicing kink with mindfulness, presence, and intention for growth or healing.
Sensory Play : Blindfolds, temperature, feathers, sound, or deprivation to heighten perception.
Containment Play : Restricting movement or space for safety and emotional release (bondage, cages, blankets).
Impact Rituals : Spanking/whipping framed as cleansing or awakening.
Rites of Passage : BDSM used to mark life transitions or personal evolution.
Emotional Release : Cathartic tears, laughter, rage release in play.
Mirror Work & Affirmation : Using BDSM to confront self-image, integrate healing affirmations.
Inner Child Work : Healing play exploring regression or innocence.
Shadow Work in Kink : Exploring repressed emotions or taboos consciously.
Energy Healing : Incorporating Reiki, breathwork, or hands-on energy practices.
Mind Play : Psychological play through suggestion, humiliation, or altered states.