I think Marie Laveau (or Paris) the Voodou Queen of New Orleans is one of the most recognisable figures in Vodou. Born in the very early 1800s - 1881 she was born to free persons of colour, one of whom was Creole. her first husband Jacques Paris died in 1820, he was Haitian immigrant to New Orleans in 1809. After the Haitian revolution, French speaking white planters, slaves, and free people of colour immigrated to New Orleans. The slaves with African ancestry revived and established African based spiritual beliefs like Vodou in New Orleans - which is where Marie Laveau established her beliefs and extended her practice. Marie Laveau life is mixed between fact and folklore. Thankfully for church records, we can piece together what has been embellished. We know that she did work for a time for liquor importers. Its commonly believed that she was a hair dresser and ran a brothel, which some would attribute to how she was so successful in divination, and some would suggest that she would blackmail the families and patrons that she worked for. Marie Laveau is believed to be burried in plot 347 in Saint Louis Cemetary No. 1. Thousands of tourists and magical practitioners visit her tomb annually (Wikipedia claims its more than tourists who visit Elviss grave site). Its said that if you mark XXX, turn around three times, knock three times, and shout your petition, your petition will be granted; after which, you return, circle the XXX and leave an offering in gratitude. Even in death, Marie Laveaus presence is known and revered. If you dont live close to NOLA, there are Marie Laveau oils, waters and powders that can be utilized and are just as potent. Marie Laveau lives on the boarder of reality and legend that I wonder if there will be any or have been others like her in the future. There are witchcraft museums, and books written by revered Pagans who have passed away, but to what degree does folklore get attached to them? Images: Marie Laveaus tomb: https://flickr/photos/drewbonics/5587634624/in/pool-96992391@N00/ Marie Laveau portrait: pinterest, but painted by Frank Schneider, based on the portrait by George Catlin in the Louisiana State Museum Info: Mix of Wikipedia, stuff I just picked up and retained, and the New Orleans Voodoo Museum voodoomuseum/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=10 Live your Truth ~ Shannon
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 05:00:01 +0000
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