A friend once asked me why, as a woman of color, I enjoy the role of dominating others. Is it revenge, retribution, or a general dislike of others? This made me think deeply, and I came across a quote that sums up my perspective: “A free man?—There is no such thing! All men are slaves; some, slaves of money; some, of chance; others are forced, either by mass opinion, or the threatening law, to act against their nature.” (Euripides, Hecabe)
I realized that I am, in a sense, like Ananke, the goddess of bonds, who rules over necessity and compulsion. We are all bound by life’s inevitable rules—slaves to circumstances, obligations, and needs. Whether it’s a submissive in service or a master, we are all bound by life’s constraints, even if we don’t always recognize it.
When someone joins my service, they willingly place themselves at my feet, bound by devotion. Their will is surrendered, and they are compelled to worship me. This isn’t about control for its own sake—it’s about acknowledging that freedom is an illusion, and true power comes from recognizing and embracing the bonds that shape our lives.
In my world, freedom doesn’t exist in the way most people think. Your desires and actions are shaped by external forces, much like how a person’s body is tied to its needs and limitations. Whether it’s sickness, law, or even the natural order of life, we are all governed by forces beyond our control. Even in health, we are ruled by necessity.
This is the nature of life. We may think we are free, but every choice and action is influenced by something—be it love, duty, illness, or law. These are all forms of slavery under the goddess Ananke, who governs all forms of constraint. Even our most cherished freedoms often turn into new forms of bondage.
So, no matter how much we try to reduce our chains or seek a life of simplicity, we are still ruled by necessity. The key is not to escape bondage but to recognize and navigate it. We cannot oppose or avoid these forces, so the best we can do is accept them, and in doing so, perhaps find a kind of freedom within the limits we are given.
Mistress Hera 