This study investigates the emergence of powerful female leadership in New Orleans' Voodoo tradition. It provides a careful examination of the cultural, historical, economic, demographic and socio-political factors that contributed both to the feminization of this religious culture and its strong female leaders.

Raymond J. Martinez’ book on legends, lore, and unvarnished truths surrounding New Orleans’ most famous Voodoo mistress also features other tales from surrounding parishes of days long gone by, an illustrated guide to palm-reading, humorous asides, and over 30 fascinating drawings and images. In addition to facts and folklore about Laveau, including revealing research into some debunked myths and unanswered questions, the book offers entertaining stories of her life and the people around the New Orleans area.

The life and work of the legendary “Pope of Voodoo,” Marie Laveau—a free woman of color who practically ruled New Orleans in the mid-1800s Marie Laveau may be the most influential American practitioner of the magical arts; certainly, she is among the most famous. She is the subject of songs, films, and legends and the star of New Orleans ghost tours. Her grave in New Orleans ranks among the most popular spiritual pilgrimages in the US. Devotees venerate votive images of Laveau, who proclaimed herself the “Pope of Voodoo.” She is the subject of respected historical biographies and the inspiration for novels by Francine Prose and Jewell Parker Rhodes. She even appears in Marvel Comics and on the television show American Horror Story: Coven, where she was portrayed by Angela Bassett. Author Denise Alvarado explores Marie Laveau’s life and work—the fascinating history and mystery. This book gives an overview of New Orleans Voodoo, its origins, history, and practices. It contains spells, prayers, rituals, recipes, and instructions for constructing New Orleans voodoo-style altars and crafting a voodoo amulet known as a gris-gris.

The classic book on legends, lore, and unvarnished truths surrounding New Orleans' most famous Voodoo mistress-now in a modern, legible format. It also features other tales from surrounding parishes of days long gone by, an illustrated guide to palm-reading, humorous asides, and over 30 fascinating drawings and images. In addition to facts and folklore about Laveau-including revealing research into some debunked myths and unanswered questions-the book offers entertaining stories of her life and the people around the New Orleans area, such as: * Lafayette's visit to New Orleans . . . and to Marie Laveau herself? * How Marie Laveau turned hate into love for some wishful suitors * How she earned her free house on St. Ann Street, and how her death made city newspapers go wild * The man with two wives-in two languages-and therefore a roosterhead in his coatpocket * Why New Orleans doorsteps are so clean * How an utter idiot won the election for mayor of Burley Landing * The proper use of gris gris, and the meaning of palm mountains and lines * How an honest thief fooled an unsuspecting Yankee * Why zombies are created to be used as farmhands This book is presented in a quality new edition with all the illustrations from the original properly presented, as well as additional images found only in the Quaint Press edition of this well-known look into the folklore of old New Orleans.

An evocative dual portrait explores the lives of the Marie Laveaus, mother and daughter of the same name who became leaders of indigenous American religious and spiritual traditions in nineteenth-century Creole New Orleans.

Witch? Sorceress? Daughter of Satan? Thief? Saint? Born in 1794, Marie Laveau reigned as the undisputed Queen of the Voodoos for nearly a century. Her beauty and powers were legendary, and caused her to be the subject of wild gossip throughout her life. She passed on her secrets to a favorite daughter, who helped her dominate the underworld of voodoo in New Orleans. "It is an absorbing tale, and the emotional undertones, the conflicts in her human relations, the overwhelming loneliness of her position, all come through the story of a strange life." Kirkus Reviews "The author creates a vivid, haunting atmosphere, which (like Marie's arts) holds the reader in spell. . . . an intriguing novel that is competently mounted and exceedingly well executed." New York Times