A direct binding, also called body bindings or soul bindings, is when a spirit/entity is bound/connected to you by your energy systems or your soul. Direct bindings are extremely dangerous, for many reasons. I and several other spirit workers have heard of many different ways they can and do go wrong, and let me tell you, the number of times they go wrong far outnumber the times they go right.
Conjurers not knowing how to undo their direct binding: They can bind, but they don’t know how to un-bind. Not many people know how to undo direct bindings, so if your binding turns out to be bad- you’re outta luck. And this binding is on your own body.
Conjurers not familiar with the energy system: They may know how to bind, they may know how to do spirit work, but they’re not familiar with how energy flows in a human’s system. Energy systems are extremely sensitive, blockages can be picked up rather easily, a problem in one area can affect the entire system, and so on. Any conjurer who knows about how easily energetic systems are affected would not be offering direct bindings in the first place. And I’m talking knowledge of the energetic system that goes past “well you have 7 chakras” like bitch you can google that. But how are blockages formed? How are they let go? How does a block in the heart chakra affect the third eye chakra? Most conjurers that offer direct bindings will not be able to answer those questions. (And before anyone tells me, yes I know chakras are only one example of a way to look at an energy system, but they are one that many people at least know the gist of, for an example in this informational post.)
Harmful Bindings: If the binding is done wrong, it could be a massive drain on your energy, or even a restriction on your energetic system. Both of these could be massively dangerous and the effects could spill into your mundane life, and thus your mundane responsibilities, as well.
Massively Draining Bindings: Direct bindings are powered by energy on both sides. However, if the conjurer does not put a constraint on how much energy the binding is allowed to draw, it could drain so much energy that it reaches dangerous potentials. You will be drained of magical energy, and possibly even physical energy you need in daily life in more extreme cases. How are you supposed to have the energy to break the harmful binding if all of your magical energy to do so is constantly being drained away?
Restriction on your energy system: So for your direct binding, your conjurer imagined your entity’s strings of energy wrapping around you. However, they unintentionally created a blockage on your heart chakra, because the binding was too tight and ended up creating a restriction on the flow on that point. Now you’re having problems feeling emotions, your depression and anxiety have worsened, and many other problems associated with having a severely blocked heart chakra.
Abusive spirits/abuse potential: You get a direct binding with a spirit, but you have a falling out. It turns out that they were very malicious. However, you cannot undo the binding; you don’t know how. You ask the conjurer- they don’t know how to undo the binding. Additionally, they assure you that you did something to piss off the spirit, that it’s your fault. Then they block you, and you’re out of places to look for help. The abusive spirit is able to bypass any and all connections you put up because of their link to your energy. They can drain you dry of energy anytime. They can attack you at anytime, anywhere, because they are linked to your energy. This will last as long as the binding is still intact.
Irresponsible conjurers that do not inform the entity of the dangers of a direct binding: Do you know how many entities that I’ve talked to where they knew nothing of the direct binding process? Much less the dangers and possible downfalls. Because of course no entity with a brain is going to want one of these when there’s 3 billion downfalls!!
Irresponsible conjurers that did not inform YOU of the dangers: Some conjurers offer this without even telling you what it is, what it does, or how it will affect you! And with that, you are usually not given information on how to break the binding in case the relationship goes badly, either.
The chance of a binding that you literally cannot break no matter what you do: You’ve went from conjurer to conjurer, energy worker to energy worker in search of how to break the binding. However, none of them are capable of it. It could be because the binding is too strong; as it is directly linked to your energy, the binding is always at full power and thus cannot be weakened without also harming you.
Suffer massive harm if one side dies: If your companion dies you will experience a large amount of pain; physical, and astral body pain, in addition to the emotional pain. Many conjurers do not put some constraint on what will happen if a companion dies; so instead of the binding becoming undone naturally, you are still bound and the binding may attempt to fix itself by draining you.
You could become so dependent on the other spirit that you cannot function in regular life without them/vice versa: Yes, this happens. Oftentimes people and spirits in a direct binding become comfortable with the idea that they are not capable of surviving on their own, and must depend on each other entirely for guidance or even sustenance. That is not a healthy relationship, you should not be dependent on each other just to be able to survive in daily life.
Danger Blowbacks: Your companion does something and pisses off a bunch of spirits. Now the angry spirits have a way to link to your energy so they can find an attack you to. Or vice-versa; you do something dangerous and piss off a bunch of spirits, now they have a link to your companion so they could attack them too.
Hearing each other’s personal thoughts that you didn’t want them to hear: There’s this thing called “personal space”. We all have thoughts we would like to keep to ourselves, and so do entities. Intruding on another’s thoughts is rude, invasive, and potentially abusive- constant monitoring and ignorance of space/personal boundaries is a characteristic of an unhealthy relationship, after all.
Personality/moral changes that are unacceptable to you: You grow similar to those you are close to and those that have an active influence on your energy. If you were bound to a spirit with morals different from ours, would you be okay with waking up one day and not thinking unconsensual sex is bad?
Loss of individuality: You will be emotionally close, yes, but this isn’t Steven Universe. You won’t get a redemption arc, not everything will end up okay. If a binding is too strong, you will start having trouble thinking and feeling on an individual basis.
Not a danger, BUT-
You can get all of the communication benefits that a direct binding offers in a regular or distance vessel binding. You do not need a direct binding to be able to talk to spirits! You do not need a direct binding to be able to hear your spirits clearly! A good vessel attachment can give you those benefits without all of the dangers that direct bindings have. If your conjurer tells you otherwise, then they’re shit at bindings and need to git gud.
And before anyone asks, NO I will not teach how to bind.
Why? There’s too many people on here who ask for advice, then refuse to take it and also ignore any safety warnings then turn around and preach about safety.
Feel free to reblog with your experiences/stories of direct bindings gone wrong!
God okay so I’m going to say this now; PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not risk your health or anyone’s in the form of getting a “cheap” binder of ebay or where ever. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE save your $4-$10 dollars for those cheap ebay ones and put it towards a gc2b binder. Or if you want an Underworks go for that but I highly suggest gc2b. They’re about $40 (with shipping) and will last you WAY longer than any cheap ebay one. They are MEANT for lasting you. I wash mine many times week, wear it daily, Wear them daily. I have two. Had them for almost a year now. But I cannot urge you enough to PLEASE save up your pennies for a PROPER SAFE binder. Binders you can breathe in, binders you can move in, binders that don’t crush your ribs, binders that are comfortable, binders that are safe.
This isn’t a safe binder:
It uses clasps and not compression.
This is a c2b binder; made by trans people for trans people:
These binders have no clasps but uses spandex to compress you safety.
Measure your chest before ordering to make sure you don’t get one too small or too large.
UPDATE (06/12)
I wanted to add more information on where you can buy binders and info in general about binders
If you can’t afford a binder, don’t despair! Used binders are often passed on by post-op trans men or those whose binders may no longer fit. There are a few programs available that help distribute donated second-hand binders:
In A Bind – Started in 2012, to date In a Bind has provided safe compression garments to over 1500 youth in need. Trans* masculine and genderqueer youth living anywhere in the USA can apply to receive a free binder. In a Bind depends on donations. Recently had top surgery? Go up or down a size? Find a style that works better for you? Donate those binders you’re no longer using!
MORF Binder Exchange – Since February 2011, MORF has been providing free binders to trans* masculine people in the UK and around the world. The free scheme (all you pay is the postage) has so far redistributed hundreds of binders. In 2014 alone, over 280 binders were sent out.
If you still remember your old bra size, you can find out your binder size by using theBra to Chest Size Converter Tool. If you don’t know your old bra size, you can measure yourself the old-fashioned way:
Take a snug measurement of the fullest part of your chest using a tape measure (best if measured while clothed) and write that number down onto a sheet of paper.
Measure underneath your chest where the crease is and write that number down as well.
Add those numbers together and divide the sum by 2. This number will differentiate your size not only from brand to brand but from binder to binder as well.
Selecting a binder brand and style can be difficult: there are so many options that it can be overwhelming! Plus, there aren’t very many reviews of binders other than those about Underworks’ and T-Kingdom’s more popular models. After buying your binder, help make the experience easier for guys in the future by contributing your review to one of the review sites listed below.
Essentially, there are two types of binders: short ones and long ones. The short ones end right at your waist. The down side of these is that if you carry some extra weight, short binders tend to roll up and act more like a bra. The long ones can be pulled down past your waist by several inches, however it’s inevitable that it will still roll up. To reduce the chances of this, wear a belt. Choosing between a short and long binder has more to do with your body type, specifically your abdomen, and not your chest size.
Lastly, consider the location of the company you’re buying from. Buying from a company that’s closer to you can save you a significant amount of money on shipping costs.
How to Put On a Chest Binder
It might seem silly, but you’re probably going to need some help figuring out how to put on your new binder, particularly if you purchased one of the longer styles.
Put your binder inside out and upside down.
Step into your binder and pull the bottom of it up, ideally to your belt line. The binder should still be inside out and upside down.
Use the sleeves as handles to pull the top of the binder (the end closer to your feet) up to your shoulders.
Put your arms through the sleeve holes and adjust your chest to your needs. You may need to pull the bottom of the binder out from underneath itself if you don’t want it folded under. For others, leaving it folded under may help stop the binder from rolling up.
Don’t be disappointed if you look in the mirror and it looks like you have one big boob in the middle of your chest. You just need to adjust your chest. Reach in from the neck hole and push your chesticles down and out. You’re basically pushing your nipple toward your armpit to achieve the flattest looking chest possible.
FTM Chest Binding Tips
Very important: When binding, you should not by any means feel as though you can’t breathe or like you’re going to pass out from a lack of oxygen.
Binders aren’t the most comfortable things in the world. To make binding more comfortable, and to reduce the possibility of the binder moving around a bit, some guys wear a light shirt underneath.
Depending on the size of your chest, you may need to layer clothing on top of the binder to get optimal chest flattening. You’ll find that some of the shirts in your closet require you to layer more than shirts in your wardrobe.
You can swim in your binder. Just wear a sleeveless or sleeved T-shirt over it. Don’t worry if your binder seems less effective after a swim, this isn’t permanent. Simply wash it and it will go back to normal.
Your chest will look bigger than it really is when you look down at it. Check in the mirror for a more accurate side view.
Not all binders breathe well, and the reality is that you’re probably going to get hot. If you’ve already started testosterone, you’re definitely going to sweat. The build up of sweat can irritate your skin causing rashes and sores. Wearing a thin cotton shirt that breathes well underneath your binder may help prevent this. If you find this uncomfortable, try applying corn starch to your body before putting on your binder to help keep it from holding in moisture. If you’ve already experienced skin irritation of some sort, take care of it the same way you would an open wound. Washing the irritated area with anti-bacterial soap will keep it clean and help it heal faster.
Conclusion
Chest binding, as cumbersome as it may seem, can be very freeing for transgender men. There’s a plethora of quality FTM chest binding products available for body types of all shapes and sizes. Regardless of what you use for binding, please remember to put your health first. Now that you’re armed with all the information you need to find the right binder for you, go forth and feel more comfortable in your skin!
FTM Chest Binder Reviews
Chest Binder Reviews Site: Written reviews of various chest binding products. Binders are rated for effectiveness, comfort, and discreetness.
Binder Reviews’ YouTube Collab Channel: This is a collab channel dedicated to providing reviews of a wide variety of chest binders on different sizes and shapes of people.
Hudson’s Guide to FTM Binding: Includes a complete list of other products you can use for chest binding, such as compression garments and sports bras.
FYI Binding Tips: The Butchelor has some useful tips on how to put on a binder, how to keep it from rolling up, and how to wash a binder.
Do you have any tips about binding? Want to share your experience with a particular binder brand or model? Do you know of other binder manufacturers, particularly those outside of Asia and the US? Please leave your comments below.
This isn’t a userbox but I wanted to reblog this here for all of our followers who bind!! Stay Safe lovelies and just a reminder not to use Ace bandages!!! – Daniel
BLESS THE PERSON THAT PULLED ALL OF THIS TOGETHER!!
teakepp 