Spells of Dunedain - Tolkien

Question

I need someone well versed in Tolkien books and all writings.

Is there a Elven/Vala/Maiar spell to bind Nazgul to the Void and trap them?

Answer 1

Middle-earth certainly does have spells; remember Gandalf's statement that he "once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves or Men or Orcs that was ever used for such a purpose" at the doors of Moria.

However, Tolkien never actually wrote out a spell book, or even a spell list.

We can infer from his writings that spells exist for opening doors, for enchanting swords (and wolf-headed battering rams), and for protecting buried treasure, as well as something called a "Word of Command". There are also shutting-spells (Gandalf uses one at the Chamber of Mazarbul) and counter-spells (the Balrog uses one back at him in the same scene). Gandalf even throws lightning-bolts about a few times, sets fire to stuff, and can cast light from his staff.

"Spell" is also used as a general term for being under the enchantment of someone or something, such as the Hobbits at Bombadil's or in the Barrow. Saruman's Voice is this kind of spell.

If you're currently being hunted by a Nazgul and you don't feel that your wits, luck or courage are up to the job (which in Tolkien's world means you probably don't stand much chance to begin with), and if Glorfindel isn't around to help you fight him off, your best bet is to get hold of a sword from the Barrow. These were enchanted by the Dunedain, which seems to meet one of your requirements:

Doubtless the Orcs despoiled them, but feared to keep the knives, knowing them for what they are: work of Westernesse, wound about with spells for the bane of Mordor.

And they are capable of destroying Nazgul, which meets your main requirement:

No other blade, not though mightier hands had wielded it, would have dealt that foe a wound so bitter, cleaving the undead flesh, breaking the spell that knit his unseen sinews to his will.

However they seem to be more potent at breaking the spell that makes a Nazgul in the first place, rather than having any kind of direct magical effect on them. So using one would involve having to go toe-to-toe with a Nazgul, which it seems to me is not a good position to find oneself in.

Tolkien, of course, never wrote anything more explicit about just what spell was on those swords, thus giving us ample fuel for internet discussion 60 years later. You'd almost think he knew.