Merry meet everyone, I am back this week with another famous witch from history. This witch is a famous vodou witch called Marie Laveau. Now many call her the American vodou queen, she was born back in the 1800's in New Orleans and its believed that she passed away in June 15th 1881 in New Orleans. Now her gifts were believed to healing the ill, extending altruistic gifts to the poor and also overseeing spiritual rites. Through out this post today we will go through what we know of this famous witch and why she is so famous. Now the reason there are two birth dates for Marie Laveau is because theres documents stating she was born in 1794 but others stating 1801. Now I will just say its more likely to be the 1800's but thats just me guessing, many have researched this and believe the same but I won't say its fact. Marie Laveau was born to an African women named Marguerite Darcentel and to Charles Laveau. Marie had been married to a man from sainte-dominque named Jacques Paris. There are reports that he disappeared and was never found which many believe he was dead. Marie from her husbands disappeared kept referring herself as the 'window Paris'. After a space of time when many believed her husband to be dead, Marie started a relationship with Jean Louis Christophe Duminy De Glapion. They then had serval children together, its been reported that serval of their children were victims of yellow fever that has plagued New Orleans due to the city's poor drainage system. Marie has been reported to be a loving wife and committed mother which was her priority of a caretaker of the household. But this also extended to her spiritual children and her community. Marie had become a hairdresser to bring in an income and gave her family stability. Marie was often exposed to personal information about her wealthy white clients through her coloured clients who were the house servants of theses said white clients. They would often ask her for counsel. Marie would often use this information to give informed counsel to the people who sought advice about personal affairs. Marie was paid from both groups of the wealthy and politically affluent individuals for her personal advice. Sometimes this took form of a intervention, others in the form of protection against any evil energy that may overcome them. Many say the Marie was the granddaughter of a powerful priestess, with Marie having familial background in African spirituality. Its also reported that Marie was drawn to the religion after the death of her dear mother. Marie also underwent the tutelage of Dr.John Bayou who was well known as a Senegalese conjurer(Also known as root worker). Marie didn't take long to become well known within the society of Vodou in New Orleans. Many refer her to being the queen of Vodou and thats because to many in her community she was like a mother to them. She would be sought out to help and advise on marital affairs, domestic disputes, judicial issues, child birth, finances, health and good luck. Marie would counsel her practitioners within the help of supplying them with advice or protective spiritual objects such as candles, powder and objects that were mixed together to create a gris-gris. Marie would of done most of her rituals at three main sites within her city. Theses main sites were her home on St. Ann Street, Congo Square and Lake Pontchartrain. At her home Marie would speak with her clients who would meet her regarding any issues they may have been dealing with. She would often use her back garden as a space to do her ceremonies that would conjure the spirit of the great Zombi, which is a deity called Damballah Wedo who would manifest through a snake. The second big ritual space was at Congo Square, which is a public space that was set aside by the city. She would gather her followers at this place on a Sunday to dance and worship. Marie never did any big rituals here but was still considered a special place because her followers were always gathering here. The last main place was Lake Pontchartain which was the space Marie would do her big rituals. Marie would often be seen here with her said 'king' who was normally her second ranking male officiate. There are reports that you would often hear singing and drumming coming from this location when she was there and spirit possession would often occur in theses gatherings. Many white folk would try and sneak into the woods to watch and see what events were taking place. There a quite a few reports about what they saw but many white folk would put it down to drinking too much. Before Marie was the queen of vodou there were only two other women who wore the crown. The first was Sanite Dede who wore the crown for several years before she was taken over by Marie Saloppe who introduced Marie Laveau to this religion to begin with. When Marie did take over the crown she reigned unchallenged until 1850. Rosalie another Creole women attempted to challenge Marie's position. Rosalie did this by placing a huge life sized wooden doll in her yard that was said to have been imported from Africa. This doll was covered with beads and intricate carvings. Many started to respect Rosalie or feared her. Marie heard this and stole the doll to show a point. Rosalie took Marie to court over this but Marie used her persuasive powers and influence to have the doll permanently removed. There were others that had gathered mild attention during Marie's reign but never took over her. Marie's reign ended on her death bed and to this day she is still considered one of the strongest and powerful Vodou witches out there. I hope you found today's post interesting as much as I did researching this amazing women. If there is anyone you would like me to research then send the name my way through my facebook page or even through DM's on Instagram. You can find me under the name @Paganvibesonly on both platforms. I post daily about witchy aspects that are away from this blog and the community that I have been building (more on instagram than facebook as thats still new) has been helping me with blog topics since the beginning so if you wish to take part join one or both places to keep update when I do ask for help. As always I do hope you enjoy my blog posts and that I will see you all in the next one. Please stay safe everyone in these strange times. Blessed be x PaganVibesOnly x
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