power of the 4 directions. Why would anyone bind them?

As one whose research and teaching is in biblical studies at university level, I've never come across this specific notion in either Judaism or Christianity. A google search throws up 3 examples of "binding of powers" - in relation to controls on what nations can legallly do, in Heidegger's notion of the "binding of the powers of exposition" (worth following up), and the religious notion of "binding the power(s) of Satan or darkness" (e.g. by Jesus in Mark 1:25; 5:1-20). On your specific example of "binding the powers of the four directions" one religious context might be in Gnostic belief that the world - and consequently the four directions of the compass - are in the power of evil one, escape from control of which is by way of secretly revealed "knowledge" (Greek: gnosis) of a higher god variously described as 'Nous' (mind) or the 'Pleroma' (fullness). Only through this secret knowledge can humanity escape mortality, sin, and ignorance. Not knowing of any Gnostic text or tradition in which this specific notion of "binding the power of the four directions" (perhaps as a way of describing 'the evil power'?), I'll let you know if I find anything. Hopefully a.n.other will come up with something more concrete.

You can't bind them. To think so is exceptionally ignorant.

Nature does what nature wants to do.

To even make an attempt the person would have to be very powerful and I have yet to see anyone who would even come close.

Pagan for over 20 years.

You cannot bind these things. That would be like trying to bind the Sun or the Earth. It cannot be done.

Without knowing the specifics I would guess a form of ceremonial magic, which is heavily based on Judeo-Christian ideas.

Sounds like your friend is a cultist of Chaos undivided.

Tell her she is indecisive pansy an- BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GO! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!

I'm sorry did you say "powers of four" and "rational system" in the same rant?