THE MAGIC OF MARIE LAVEAU

Embracing the Spiritual Legacy of the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans

DENISE ALVARADO
“Denise Alvarado has separated the facts of Marie Laveau’s life and legacy from the fantasies of
some twentieth-century writers and persistent folk traditions that are sometimes not true. This is a
goal we share in common. ” - Carolyn Morrow Long, from the foreword

Book Synopsis
Marie Laveau may be the most Media Contact
influential American practitioner Eryn Carter Eaton
of the magical arts; certainly, Marketing Manager, Weiser Books
she is among the most famous. 978-225-2930 (Direct)
She is the subject of songs, films, ecarter@rwwbooks.com
and legends and the star of New
Orleans ghost tours. Her grave
Publishing Stats
in New Orleans ranks among
Weiser Books
the most popular spiritual
February 1, 2020
pilgrimages in the US. Devotees
ISBN: 978-1-57863-673-0
venerate votive images of
Paperback | 6 x 9 | Pages: 240 |
Laveau, who proclaimed herself
$16.95
the “Pope of Voodoo.” She is the
subject of respected historical
biographies and the inspiration Author Biography
for novels by Francine Prose and Denise Alvarado was born
Jewell Parker Rhodes. She even and raised in the rich Creole
appears in Marvel Comics and culture of New Orleans,
on the television show American Louisiana. She has studied
Horror Story: Coven, where she indigenous healing traditions
was portrayed by Angela Bassett. from a personal and academic
Author Denise Alvarado explores perspective for over 4 decades
and is the author of numerous
Marie Laveau’s life and work—
books about Southern folk
the fascinating history and
traditions. She is a rootworker in the Louisiana folk magic
mystery. This book gives an overview of New Orleans
tradition, a spiritual artist, and a teacher of Southern
Voodoo, its origins, history, and practices. It contains
conjure at Crossroads University.
spells, prayers, rituals, recipes, and instructions for
constructing New Orleans voodoo-style altars and
crafting a voodoo amulet known as a gris-gris. Website & Social Media

The life and work of the legendary

Website: http://www.creolemoon.com

“Pope of Voodoo,” Marie Laveau—a free woman

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeniseAlvarado

of color who practically ruled

https://www.facebook.com/creolemoonpublications

New Orleans in the mid-1800s

@Creole_Moon

@VoodooMuse1
 WHO IS MARIE LAVEAU?
If Marie Laveau were alive today, I truly believe she would be at the forefront of the #MeToo and
#BlackLivesMatter movements. I envision her standing in front of the White House as a #SisterResister,
protesting the current administration’s racist policies, and attacks on health care and the environment.
Instead of Alyssa Milano, it could have been Marie Laveau sitting behind Brett Kavanaugh at those
now infamous SCOTUS hearings that mobilized the female warrior aspect of the country like never
before. She would be advocating prison reform, laying the gris gris down at the border for those
seeking a better life or in need of asylum, and making sure no one forgets that there are children held
in cages in internment camps for brown people right now, at this present moment, in post-slavery
America.

But the reason she would be doing these things might surprise a lot of people who are unfamiliar
with her as a living, breathing human being. Marie Laveau is no myth; she is no mere legend. While
her reputation precedes her as the notorious Voudou Queen of New Orleans, in reality, she was a
free woman of color who ruled the city during antebellum New Orleans. This was no small feat. She
was a devout Catholic, an independent businesswoman, a mother, and healer who lived her life in
accordance with the corporal works of mercy. Stories abound about her magickal prowess, freeing
men from the gallows and healing the sick from the brink of death. Her belief in Catholicism guided
her life as well as her magick in such a distinct way that people from all over the world are inspired by
her spirit and her story. This phenomenon is evidenced by the fact that her grave site is purportedly
one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the United States, second only to the King of Rock and Roll,
Elvis Presley.

So, how does one begin to describe the legacy left by a legend? If the power of a person’s life is in the
stories they leave behind, then Marie Laveau has the market cornered as the most storied woman in
the history of New Orleans.

BASIC GRIS GRIS RITUAL FOR HEALING

- Denise Alvarado, from the Introduction

This is a very basic gris gris ritual for healing. It is good for mending a broken heart or helping to heal from grief of any
kind. And it only requires four ingredients:

• Snakeskin
• 3 copper pennies
• Rose petals
• Lavender flowers

Wrap everything in a chamois cloth and place in a flannel or leather bag. Then say the following petition to Papa
Legba (He is called Papa Labat/ Lebat by older folks in New Orleans) to empower the bag:

Papa Labat, yay yay yay

Papa Labat, yay yay yay
Papa Labat, yay yay yay
Papa Labat, open the door and let the spirits through
Bless and empower this bag for your faithful servant
Bring him/her all good things in this life and in the life to come In God’s name
Ashé ashé ashé!

Touch the gris gris to the top of your head, your heart, then your mouth, kissing the bag.