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Hundreds of the most informative essays have been hand-picked for depth of knowledge and varied opinions with new and seasoned practitioners in mind. A wide range of topics are available for you to explore. Donations are always open so submit your essay to The Iron Gate for consideration!

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Like A Slap In The Face: The Basics of Face Slapping by Norische
Filed in: how-to, slapping

There are many different types of impact play that exist within the realm of the BDSM world. None appear to be more controversial than face slapping. The effects of face slapping go farther than any o[...]

Spiders, Snakes, and Single Tails: Dealing with Fears and Phobias by Norische
Filed in: health and safety, general knowledge, fear

The word phobia originated from the Greek god Phobos. When in battle the Greek army would call on Phobos to assist them, he would inflict the apposing army with irrational, intense fears, fears like&h[...]

Getting Freaky With It: Fetishes, Paraphilias, and Just Plain Freaky by Norische
Filed in: fetish

Fetish The first thing that must be discussed is what exactly is a fetish. In psychiatry a fetish is an object, action or bodily part whose real or fantasized presence is psychologically necessary fo[...]

Controlling the Slave by lauraTV
Filed in: dominance, submission, training

Although these suggestions were written specifically for the Mistress of a feminized male slave, many of them may be applied to a broad range of Dominant/submissive relationships. It is important for[...]

Slavery In Word And Speech by Master Eso
Filed in: slavery, speech

A slave must realize and understand that her submission, devotion and obedience to her Master have its roots within her own mind and heart and are expressed by her behavior, deed and[...]

Defining Absolute and Total Power Exchange by Master Eso
Filed in: relationships, d/s, slavery, tpe

As there are many different opinions and perceptions, and the subject as to what actually defines Absolute and Total Power Exchange or Absolute Slavery, comes up frequently, I will t[...]

A Hot Time In The Old Dungeon Tonight: The Basics of Figging by Norische
Filed in: how-to, health and safety, figging, torture, history

A moan escapes as her tongue darts out and moistens her quickly drying lips. Her delicate hands clench and unclench with frustration; she wiggles her fingers furiously as she tries to rid herself of s[...]

Standing on My Own Two Feet: Basics of Foot Torture by Norische
Filed in: how-to, torture

The human foot is comprised of 26 skeletal bones, held together by 32 muscles and tendons and strengthened by 109 ligaments, the entire weight of an individual is balanced on this delicate weave of bo[...]

Top Hat and Tails: The Basics of Formal Protocol by Norische
Filed in: protocol

Protocol - a series of rules and behaviors that are deemed appropriate and expected for certain circumstances. Formal Protocol - a rigorous series of structured behaviors that are used to focus atten[...]

A Little Drool Never Hurt Anyone: Basics of Gags and Gagging by Norische
Filed in: how-to, gags, toys

Gags come in a variety of different styles, sizes and materials. There are two basic reasons that one uses a gag, to keep the mouth open or to keep the mouth closed, other than that their function is [...]

Is It House Broke? Protocol Within Your Own Home by Norische
Filed in: training, protocol

What is protocol? Protocol - a series of rules and behaviors that are deemed appropriate and expected for certain circumstances. In today's BDSM society there is no set rules for protocol. Some port[...]

On My Honor: Understanding the Moral Obligations of a Dominant by Norische
Filed in: dominance, d/s, protocol

What is a Dominant's moral obligation to his or her slave? This is a very interesting question, one that can be answered in many manners. In order to understand what a Dominant\'s moral obligation to[...]

Before Scene: Interview by Norische
Filed in: negotiation, play, scene, checklist

Interview Name: __________________________________________________________________ Age ____________ Gender___________ Sexual Orientation ____________________ How Top wishes to be addressed. _______[...]

Leash Laws: The Basics of Leash Training by Norische
Filed in: training, leash

The fantasy of the leash, when someone is on a leash they enter a fantasy world, created within the boundaries of their own mind. Somewhere within the recesses of the deep dark catacombs of their mind[...]

Hurt So Good: The Joys of Being A Masochist by Norische
Filed in: masochism

The cold metal of the cuffs bite into her wrists, her eyelids grow heavy as she stands waiting, barely breathing…. anticipating the next blow. Her tongue darts from her mouth to taste the tear [...]

Why I Despise the Old Gard by Chuck and Donna Cosimano
Filed in: old guard

Because they're a waste of skin? Ok, this is going to be a very difficult article for me to write because I'm going to try to be somewhat objective about this subject and not drown myself in my own ve[...]

Old Guard, New Guard by Gayle Rubin
Filed in: general knowledge, old guard

I have problems with the way in which the distinction between "Old Guard" and "New Guard" is sometimes deployed. While there are many differences between leather/SM as it was prac[...]

Pecking Order: Multiple Slave Households by Norische
Filed in: training, slavery, protocol

Many individuals prefer multiple slaves/subs within the BDSM lifestyle. Several households have two, three, or more slaves/subs; in all honesty it is not unusual for an owner to prefer two or three sl[...]

All Wrapped Up In Myself Part 1: Safety Issues With Mummification by Norische
Filed in: health and safety, bondage, mummification

For many people bondage is the most exciting thing within the BDSM realm. The idea that you are helpless, trapped under the ruthless control of a sadistic monster, leads to all sorts of interesting im[...]

All Wrapped Up In Myself: Mummification Part 2, Safety and Wrapping Choices by Norische
Filed in: health and safety, bondage, mummification

Mummification is an adventure like no other; it can allow one to soar to new heights within their soul or to fall to the deepest depths of their subconscious mind. The time expended for a full mummifi[...]

Slavery and Safewords by Master Eso
Filed in: slavery, safe words

As there is often the mentioning about the use of safewords, I thought it would be a good time to share my personal view on safewords. Lets first determine what a safeword actually is. A saf[...]

Defining Abuse in Absolute and Total Power Exchange by Master Eso
Filed in: d/s, tpe, abuse

The problems with the definition of abuse within an Absolute and Total Power Exchange commitment/relationship is very clear. Abuse is completely subjective. Everyone has different pe[...]

All Wrapped Up In Myself: Mummification Part 3 - The Adventure Begins by Norische
Filed in: how-to, bondage, mummification

Now that you have explored all the safety issues and to some degree you have ventured into the realm of possibilities where wrappings are concerned, now the adventure begins. Set up a general area [...]

Can I Get That In Writing: Basics Of Negotiations by Norische
Filed in: how-to, negotiation, play, scene

Negotiation – a discussion between two or more individuals, in which each individual presents a format of requirements, desires and limits, during this discussion each party will review the sugg[...]

Cock and Ball Torture by Ms. Star
Filed in: how-to, cock and ball torture, torture

Introduction Cock and ball torture, or CBT as it is more commonly called, can involve a variety of things. Torture can be used to induce mild to severe pain or it can be used only to cause discomfort[...]

A Submissive Bill of Rights by Author Unknown
Filed in: submission, newbies

You have the right to be treated with respect. Not only do you have this right, you have the right to demand it. Being submissive [...]

Cleaning Toys by Author Unknown
Filed in: toys

You'll need these things to clean your toys: * soap and hot water * one part household bleach to nine parts water * 10% hydrogen peroxide solution What if you're using a toy on someone and[...]

Get To The Point: Basics of Quilling (With Real Porcupine Quills) by Norische
Filed in: how-to, needle play, beginners

The art of Quilling is something that has been around for ages, unfortunately however it seems to be a lost art. This article will explain the safety issues, basic information on and use of porcupine [...]

Etiquette For Public Play by laynie
Filed in: etiquette, play

Having been in this lifestyle for 6 years and having had the opportunity to play as well as DM at various public and private events. It always amazes me how many people do not [...]

Red Flags, Warning Signs, and Intuition: Learning to Trust You Instincts - Part One: Dominants by Norische
Filed in: newbies, lifestyle, dangers

Within this lifestyle there are unfortunately many dangers, there are people out there using the BDSM lifestyle as a way to abuse or use individuals under an umbrella of acceptance. Within each situat[...]

Red Flags, Warning Signs, and Intuition: Learning to Trust You Instincts- Part 2: Submissives/Slaves by Norische
Filed in: newbies, lifestyle, dangers

The BDSM lifestyle harbors many dangers, oddly enough most people think only about the dangers to the submissive or slave and not to those dangers present for the Dominant. Among the thousands of dedi[...]

Ouch Is Not A Safe Word: Safe Words, Limits, and Scene Protocol by Norische
Filed in: health and safety, play, safe words

Safe words, when you are new to the BDSM lifestyle you hear a lot of new terms, one term that always seems to cause a little confusion is the term "Safe word". A safe word is any word or ph[...]

Shocking! Absolutely Shocking!: Part I - The Beginners Guide to The Violet Wand by Norische
Filed in: electroplay, beginners

A BRIEF HISTORY For centuries man has been fascinated by electricity; the mystical, magical illusion of power and fire all rolled into one tangible source. Since 1745 when Georg Von Kleist discovered[...]

Shocking! Absolutely Shocking!: Part II - The Safety Guide to The Violet Wand by Norische
Filed in: health and safety, electroplay

Violet wands are definitely one of the most desirable toys available; however, they can also be quite dangerous if used incorrectly. Safety is an absolute must when it comes to using a violet wand. Wh[...]

Shocking! Absolutely Shocking!: Part III - Fact VS Fallacy: The Violet Wand by Norische
Filed in: toys, electroplay

1. Ceramic core wands are better quality than wax core wands. Fallacy. The fact is that violet wands contain no part that is known as a "core". The basic setup consists of a tightly wound p[...]

Shocking! Absolutely Shocking!: Part IV - Techniques For The Violet Wand by Norische
Filed in: how-to, electroplay, play

The thin sheen of sweat on her body glistened as she stood there shivering in anticipation. With the blindfold on she could not see the soft glow of the violet wand reflecting off her glistening body,[...]

Shocking! Absolutely Shocking!: Part V - The Advanced Techniques For The Violet Wand by Norische
Filed in: how-to, electroplay, play

I begin with a small admonition that anything that I describe within this article is for educational purposes only. Application of electricity in any form to a human body does involve risk, and hence [...]

The Process Of Selection by Master Eso
Filed in: relationships, dominance, d/s, dating

There is a general nostalgic and romantic conception amongst Masters and slaves. It is the conception of Masters going to a slave market, and select a slave, or bid for a slave on au[...]

Shocking! Absolutely Shocking!: Part VI - The Website Guide to The Violet Wand by Norische
Filed in: general knowledge, electroplay

Rubert Huse and Sons Current manufacture of the Violet Wand http://www.huse.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/catagories/cat_electricity.html Electrodes and Antique Wands For Sale One of the best sel[...]

Submission: From a Dominant's Point of View: What is a Submissive? by Norische
Filed in: submission

The basics of submission is a subject that has been explored for quite some time, and no matter how much contemplation one does, there is simply no way to define the exact nature of submission or the [...]

Just Wait Till Your Father Gets Home: Telling Your Family by Norische
Filed in: leather, lifestyle, outting

“So what are you, some kind of Satanist, or what?” This was one of the first things my sister said when she walked into my house. It had been almost a year since I had seen my sister, she[...]

Guidelines for Domestic Service by Sergeant Major
Filed in: submission, training, service, protocol

At gatherings of Dominants submissive(s) are often utilized to provide domestic service. The purpose of this piece is to provide some basic guidelines for submissive (s) who are called upon or volunte[...]

It's Raining Men: The Basics of Piss Play by Norische
Filed in: health and safety, watersports

Urine – Liquid waste product produced by the kidneys. The volume of urine depends on the fluid intake and diet. An average amount of urine excreted within a 24-hour period is between 0.8 and 2.6[...]

Candlelight Moments: Basics of Wax Play by Norische
Filed in: how-to, wax play

For many wax play is one of the first experiences within the BDSM realm, this is also the reason that so many people end up getting accidentally hurt. All too often someone is watching a pornographic [...]

Choose Your Words Carefully I: Don't VS Stop by Norische
Filed in: training, speech

Within the vanilla world there are many words that we use without consideration. Words that seem ordinary within one realm gain quite a different meaning within the realm of BDSM. Simple words that ar[...]

Choose Your Words Carefully II: Nude VS Naked by Norische
Filed in: training, speech

Within the vanilla world there are many words that we use without consideration. Words that seem ordinary within one realm gain quite a different meaning within the realm of BDSM. Simple words that ar[...]

Choose Your Words Carefully III: Humiliation VS Degradation by Norische
Filed in: training, speech

Within the vanilla world there are many words that we use without consideration. Words that seem ordinary within one realm gain quite a different meaning within the realm of BDSM. Simple words that ar[...]

Choose Your Words Carefully IV: Dehumanization VS Depersonalization by Norische
Filed in: training, speech

Within the vanilla world there are many words that we use without consideration. Words that seem ordinary within one realm gain quite a different meaning within the realm of BDSM. Simple words that ar[...]

Choose Your Words Carefully V: Want VS Need by Norische
Filed in: training, speech

Within the vanilla world there are many words that we use without consideration. Words that seem ordinary within one realm gain quite a different meaning within the realm of BDSM. Simple words that ar[...]

Standing On The Edge: Is It Edge Play or Not by Norische
Filed in: edge play, definitions, limits

The definition for edge play varies from individual to individual, each person has his or her interpretation of what edge play truly is. For some things this may be odd, but not for edge play, let me [...]

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