The Magic of Marie Laveau by Denise Alvarado

Who is Marie Laveau? "Marie Laveau is no myth; she is no mere legend. While her reputation precedes her as the notorious Voudou Queen of New Orleans, in reality, she was a free woman of color who ruled the city during antebellum New Orleans. This was no small feat. She was a devout Catholic, an independent businesswoman, a mother, and healer who lived her life in accordance with the corporal works of mercy. Stories abound about her magickal prowess, freeing men from the gallows and healing the sick from the brink of death. Her belief in Catholicism guided her life as well as her magick in such a distinct way that people from all over the world are inspired by her spirit and her story. So, how does one begin to describe the legacy left by a legend? If the power of a person’s life is in the stories they leave behind, then Marie Laveau has the market cornered as the most storied woman in the history of New Orleans." - Denise Alvarado, from the Introduction Becoming a Devotee of Marie Lave