Marie Laveau; A figure of fame, pop culture and the stuff of legend to people who visit New Orleans. Her tomb in St. Louis Cemetary #1 draws thousands of visitors to the Big Easy. She has been immortalized in song, shows and artwork. But who was this woman behind all the mystery?
Marie Laveau,also known as The Widow Paris, after her first husband departed on a sea voyage but never returned, or Marie Glapion,after she remarried, was in life a woman with an immoveable faith, a charitable soul, and the smarts of a hustler. She was a hairdresser by trade and served as a midwife, healer and also a nurse to yellow fever victims in the French Quarter during outbreaks. Marie was also known to pray long into the night with prisoners condemned to death before their execution.
But of course her most famous incarnation was that of a voodoo priestess. She led annual rites on June 23rd, or St. John’s Eve on the shores of Lake Ponchartrain and Sunday afternoon services for those of the voodoo faith in Congo Square. Marie would advise clients who needed her counsel and magical intervention in her home on St. Ann St. (Much like our dear Mambo Sam does for spellmaker.com clients!)
Laveau is still a prominent figure in New Orleans culture,and has a dedicated shrine at the New Orleans Healing Center where people also make requests for the voodoo queen’s intercession for problems. To ask for Marie Laveau’s assistance, it is customary to draw 3 red x’s (red likely being an homage to the red brick dust used to inscribe the wishes on her tomb, which Is no longer allowed) and the X because Laveau was said to sign her name this way),knock 3 times and leave an offering of some sort. Money,flowers,candy or an item of significance to the wisher are all acceptable offerings of thanks when she grants your request.
Spellmaker.com offers you a unique way to invite Madame Marie’s help into your home with the Marie Laveau House Blessing kit. If you like there is also a free spell where you can see the actual photograph of Marie Laveau’s final resting place and make a wish on the voodoo queen’s tomb.
In researching Marie Laveau for this article, I was inspired not just by her legendary skill as a voodoo practitioner and Spiritual Godmother to her many children. I was also very moved by her great faith (evidenced by the fact that she ministered to the sick with only the Parish Priest of St. Louis Cathedral during epidemics) and strength. Many credit Marie Laveau with the melding of Catholic Saints and the lwa of Haitian voodoo to give us the New Orleans Voodoo practice we have today. To be certain, her legacy and spirit live on today in the hearts of many. I wish you much love and many blessings if you choose to explore her life and legend. I truly hope you feel as touched by her iconic presence as much as I have been! Ayibobo!
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