Materials: Length of black embroidery floss cut to the size of your waist

Take the floss outdoors as the sun begins to set, and spend a moment or two thinking about the things that keep you from losing the excess weight. Then tie nine evenly spaced knots in the floss, saying with each:

1. First knot: By knot of one, I now ignite, A reduction in my appetite
2. Second knot: By knot of two, my metabolism, Becomes an active mechanism
3. Third knot: By knot of three, I bind desire, For unhealthy foods; it now expires
4. Fourth knot: By knot of four, I bind the urge,To binge and gobble, gorge and splurge
5. Fifth knot: By knot of five, inertia goes, And exercise, I don't oppose
6. Sixth knot: By knot of six, all excess weight, Is bound to quickly dissipate
7. Seventh knot: By knot of seven, I resist, Servings larger than two fists
8. Eighth knot: By knot of eight, insecurity goes, Self-worth buds and blooms and grows
9. Ninth knot: By knot of nine, I bind setbacks, So I stay easily on track

Finally, tie the two ends together while visualizing yourself reaching your goal weight easily and painlessly. Say something like:

By final knot, I set this spell
So each and every single cell
Of my body and my mind
Works together now to bind
Me to this weight-loss strategy
And a healthy ideology
Until of excess pounds I'm free
As I will, so mote it be

Excerpted from Everyday Sun Magic, by Dorothy Morrison