The Marie Laveau Voodoo Grimoire: Rituals, Recipes, and Spells for Healing, Protection, Beauty, Love, and More

Dedicated to the spirit and lineage of Marie Laveau, New Orleans’s acknowledged Queen of the Voudou religion (a free Creole woman famed for her public Voudou rituals, healing arts, and charitable acts in the late 19th century) this title is crammed with spells, rituals, and cookery recipes from the separate traditions of New Orleans Voudou (or Voodoo—both spellings are used in this book), Hoodoo, Conjure, and Rootwork. While not Laveau’s actual grimoire, this book by Alvarado (The Magic of Marie Laveau) relies on historical references, the oral tradition of New Orleans Voudou practitioners, and the author’s Creole heritage, all of which inform her own Voudou practice and this generous shared collection of workings. The book begins with excellent descriptions of New Orleans Voudou and where it came from and explains the differences among New Orleans Voudou, Louisiana Voudou, Laveau’s specific tradition of Voudou, Hoodoo, Conjure, and Rootwork. Alvarado then explains the theological hierarchy of spirits engaged in the magick of these traditions. Following is a catalogue of tools, herbs, spells, cleanses, and protections to resolve life’s challenges or enhance good fortune, including so-called “safe” New Orleans Voudou rituals for noninitiates. Note that the concept of Voudou for noninitiates is controversial, as Voudou is a closed religion that one must be initiated into and which has often been inappropriately commodified.