***Taken from "Earth, Air, Fire and Water" by Scott Cunningham
Those of us who study the old ways of natural magick are usually fond of books. Our fondness often leads us to loan them to friends. Unfortunately, loaning a book may mean that we'll never see it again.
Hence, this book binding spell. It utilizes knot magick. Binding and knots are ruled by the element of Earth.
In natural magick, knots are physical objects that both represent intangible goals (such as the return of loaned property) and absorb personal power. The following spell utilizes the power of the knot in this way.
(This spell isn't intended to force or to coerce another human being to return a book; it's a spell to ensure the book's return. It doesn't affect the loanee, it affects the book itself.)
Before you loan the book, hold it between your palms. Send personal power into it while saying:
Wrap one foot of plain white cotton string around the book, securing the string with a knot. Knot tightly, but leave enough slack so that you can slip off the string wihout untying the knot. As you make the knot, visualize the book returning to you, and say once again:
Slip off the knotted cord. Put in some secret place. As you actually loan the book, say the words again (even under your breath). The book should, indeed, return to you. Once it has, untie or cut the cord. It's done it's work.