The Magic of Marie Laveau: Embracing the Spiritual Legacy of the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans Book Review
Quote about this book:
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.” 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.
Who is this book for?
History enthusiasts who are also practitioners. People interested in learning more about influential witches and practitioners throughout various practices, and specifically those interested in learning more about New Orleans Voodoo. Those who have felt a connection to Marie Laveau and wish to learn about her history and influence. This book also offers ways to connect for those interested in becoming a devotee of Marie Laveau.
A bit about why I read this book:
I’m a part of the “All Witches Welcome” book club on Instagram (@allwitcheswelcome_) led by a few wonderful admins and this was the book selection that earned the most votes. I was also excited to learn more about Marie Laveau and all of the ways she changed voodoo. I visited New Orleans a while back and I know it’s a city full of power but also wrought with heavy history.
Beyond this, I’m also an ex-academic (ha! English and Creative Writing) so I was immediately drawn to the fact that Denise Alvarado is an academic, a practitioner, and someone who lived and breathed New Orleans Voodoo for a long while before writing this book. Along with being a Voodoo practitioner, Denise Alvarado also grew up with Indigenous practices as well.
What you can expect to learn from this book:
The first part of the book is a collection of various accounts of history that deal with Marie Laveau and her family. This book, however, doesn’t only rely on accounts that are generally considered “reliable”. It takes into account a variety of passed down myths and legends about Laveau. Though this isn’t often done in academia (or it isn't taken as seriously when it is done), it 1000% should be. There’s often a mistaken idea that oral history is not as valid as written history but that just invalidates the history of a whole slew of people who did not have the privilege of recording their own history without facing threat or punishment.
These collections of histories also have the effect of forming a more human idea of Marie Laveau. She isn’t portrayed necessarily as this angelic and saintly being. She is well rounded with the inclusion of her history regarding slavery, her light-skin privelege, and the ways in which she gained power over people. This is not meant to take away from her influence, however, as Alvarado reminds us, it is meant to show us that she strived to do good in her community and actively made the choice to do good even with her history. And reminding us that she was first and foremost, a person.
After the in-depth history, we move into the part of the book that helps to establish a practice as a devotee. This book explores ways to make an altar for Marie Laveau, how to form a connection and what this connection will require of you. There are suggestions for offerings, ideas on what you can do to connect with her, and how you can petition her as well. Though, it makes it very clear, that if you are to go down the journey of becoming a devotee, you should be prepared to DO THE WORK. Marie Laveau does not take kindly to being petitioned without respect and without giving back to the world around you.
The final part of the book is all about the “Magicospiritual” legacy of Marie Laveau. This is where you’ll learn more about the specific type of magic Laveau did, along with spells that the author has included and workings that are derived from both Laveau’s work and Alvarado’s. I can’t speak too much to this part of the book. The spells and guidance is laid out clearly and there is a wide variety of workings to be explored. I am not a voodoo practitioner so I didn’t feel comfortable trying anything out. I mostly read this book as I think it’s important as a Bruja to develop a deep reverence for various forms of practices outside of our own and this was one way I could learn more about Laveau and New Orleans Voodoo. But if you are someone who likes your books to include both history and practical information, this definitely has a good balance of that.
Finally,
To sum this all up, this is a book I highly recommend. There’s so much rich history and a lot of ways that your practice can grow from reading this book, especially if you’re interested in becoming a devotee to Laveau. It’s a wonderful book!
