I am Nawashi ("One who uses rope") I do not call myself a rigger (though many would do so). I am not Bakushi ("Master of rope"). Rope will always be my master, there is always something new to learn.
The central theme in my BDSM activities is Shibari/Kinbaku (Japanese Rope Bondage) The terms Shibari and Kinbaku are Japanese and have similar meanings: "To tie tightly with rope", and in general they are interchangeable. I greatly enjoy working with rope and not all my ropework involves BDSM, though all of it involves Witchcraft.
I use rope of all thicknesses, both twisted and braided, manmade and natural fibre. For tying people, I use cotton rope in 4mm, 6mm and 8mm thickness.
I buy my rope in bulk and cut it down to appropriate lengths and tie a whipping on the ends. The rope when it arrives is neutral in colour and being cotton it easily takes dye. I love colours, so I dye my rope hanks. My favourites are red, yellow and black, though I have many other colours as well.
Once the rope is cut, whipped and dyed it is almost ready for use. Having been dyed it has been through the washing machine so it is physically clean. The final process is to magically cleanse the rope of all negative energy and charge it with positive energy according to it's intended use. The most important aspect any spell is the "Intent" (what the spell is meant to achieve). With my Shibari rope, the intent is always that the rope should wrap around the submissive safely and effectively, whether used to restrain, or for purely decorative purposes.
When restrained, the submissive should feel safe and comfortable so that he/she is able to let go of responsibility for them-self and pass control over to me. Safety, firstly means that the rope should not do any physical harm to the body from restricted blood flow, nerve transmission or breathing, this also involves knowledge and skill on my part. Secondly, when restrained the submissive should feel safe from any harm that might come from what I do to him or her when under my control. This involves a trust that I will stick to the pre-negotiated ground rules. Trust is essential in all my BDSM activities.
Shibari is considered to be an art-form and the visual effect of the tied body is an important part of the activity, and to this end I always attempt to make the tie look good. There are a group knots used to fasten the rope that are required achieve the tie. These will hold the rope in place, preventing it from slipping or coming untied. They are not intended to be decorative (though a number of them are). Most of these knots can be replaced with knots that are both functional and decorative, and I like to use them when I can.
Each knot, as it is tied carries with it a Witchcraft 'blessing" to support it's use, that it will be properly formed, and remain in place until it is untied (A good knot should be easy to untie, another safety aspect). As I tie I think carefully about the knot and invoke magic to watch over it.
As I begin to wrap rope around my submissive I think carefully about what I am doing and Invoke the magical powers to help and support the tie and to watch over the whole process.
Tying can be a complicated business, and above all things it meant to be fun.
Make it so.