Marie Laveau

By Crusader1307

 A name that STILL carries "power" even today, Marie Laveau is often called The Grandmother of Voodoo" in America.regardless if the "Title" is warranted or not, Laveau is still a fascinating glimpse into the World of "Sympathetic" Magic. Marie was born in 1794, possibly in Haiti. The product of an interracial relationship, her and her family no doubt fled Haiti during it's Slave Revolt against French Colonialism. The family ended up on New Orleans, Louisiana. There, she grew up and into her vocation.

A Practitioner of Voodoo (which is a combination of Catholicism with various Pagan African Tribal Beliefs), Laveau began to amass not only a powerful knowledge of spells, conjurings etc, but quite a reputation within The French Quarter - as a "great" High Priestess of The Art. Her "healings" were reputedly 95% successful.

In an Age when "skin color" and "Race" was strictly segregated, Marie walked throughout the French Quarter, without fear or reproach. Both White and Black either respected or feared her "power". Laveau could easily attract crowds in excess of 1,000 whenever various ceremonies telling to either The Catholic Church or Haitian "Tribal" gatherings. The Church did not like Laveau (but they could do nothing to stop her either). Marie had a daughter, she named Marie Laveau II. The daughter helped her Mother establish Haitian Voodoo in a mainstream line in New Orleans. Upon the Elder Laveau'so death in 1881, she was laid to rest in St. Louis Cemetery No. #1 - in New Orleans. However, some say she is not buried there. And in this, comes her well deserved "mythos".

Those requiring her "help", were known to approach her Tomb. The Petitioner need only put a simple "X" Mark somewhere on the stone, and "make your intention known". IF it is granted, one MUST return and "circle" The "X", leaving some form of offering (money, fruit, alcohol etc). So many did so over the years that Marie's Tomb was completely covered in "Xs" (and yes, almost ALL had circles). The Cemetery had been closed to the Public (and can only be Toured by Guide). A special paint has been applied to Marie's Tomb, which stops the "spiritual graffiti". The City even created a Law making marking on her grave a Felony, if caught.

On the more "spooky" side of the story of Marie Laveau, her "Spirit" is sometimes seen wandering The French Quarter, much as she did for most of her life.