Articles

Explore Erzulie’s Practitioner-Written Archive on Vodou, Voodoo & New Orleans Spiritual Traditions

Welcome to our curated archive of practitioner-authored articles on Haitian Vodou, New Orleans Voodoo, Marie Laveau, and Louisiana Voodoo sacred spiritual heritage. Every piece in Erzulie’s Voodoo archive is written by initiated Vodou practitioners—offering authentic insights into the beliefs, rituals, and spiritual practices of this powerful and often misunderstood religion.

🤍This Voodoo article section also includes expert references on many Voodoo, Vodou and New Orleans Voodoo spiritual topics: 

🤍 Some of our more popular topics include:

🤍 Additional Voodoo Resources: 

Don’t miss Erzulie’s exclusive Vodou Glossary, Vodou Veves, how to Build Vodou Altars and Shrines, History of Marie Laveau, New Orleans Voodoo History, Voodoo and Witchcraft Folklore in New Orleans & authentic Voodoo Magic ritual tips and tricks! This is the place to learn all about the Voodoo religion, spiritual beliefs, secrets of Voodoo, sacred Vodou words and more educational content.

We invite you to research our academic archives with expert articles on this vast and misunderstood religion, and to learn all about the handcrafted Vodou wares exclusively at Erzulie’s Authentic Voodoo in New Orleans.

We update this section frequently on fantastic info, articles and anything important to the Vodou, Voodoo & New Orleans Voodoo traditions so check back often!  Alafia from all of us at Erzulie’s Voodoo in the French Quarter of New Orleans!

Voodoo Legends and Witchcraft Folklore of New Orleans

Voodoo Folklore, Witchcraft Folklore and Voodoo Legends of New Orleans!

New Orleans is a city steeped in mystery, magic, and centuries of spiritual tradition. In this multi-part article, native practitioner and one of our favorite New Orleans Voodoo Priestesses at Erzulie’s Voodoo, Ms. Kalila Smith! She guides us through the rich tapestry of Witchcraft Folklore, Hollywood’s portrayal of witches and Voodoo, and the enduring legends that shape New Orleans’ spiritual landscape. From fairy tale curses to Cajun werewolves, this exploration reveals how myth, fear, and cultural storytelling have defined the public’s understanding of Voodoo and Witchcraft—often obscuring their true roots and sacred practices.

Witchcraft Folklore, Fairy Tales, and Hollywood Myths

Ms. Kalila Smith, native New Orleans Voodoo & Witchcraft practitioner, provides us a glimpse into the history of Witchcraft Folklore, Hollywood’s Witchcraft and Voodoo Legends in New Orleans. Please scroll down for this multi-part article on both Witchcraft Folklore of New Orleans, New Orleans Voodoo Folklore and Voodoo Legends.

Witches in Fairy Tales: Villains and Victims

Witchcraft and Witches have always been favorite themes in even the most beloved stories. If you examine many of these tales, chances are there will be a witch featured as the villain. In Snow White, the evil Queen turns Sorceress through the use of a magic mirror. This mirror enables her to not only “see all” but it enables her to transform herself into a hag thus disguising herself as a beggar. She deceives Snow White by giving her a poison apple. The kiss of true love, of course, breaks the spell and Snow White recovers to live happily ever after. Additionally, it was a curse of the evil Fairy Witch that put Sleeping Beauty to her long rest. Maleficent casts the spell of death on the child at birth. The “Good Fairy” who lessens the effects of the spell intercepts the spell. Sleeping Beauty is only cursed to sleep until the spell is broken by, of course, true love’s kiss.

Continue reading “Voodoo Legends and Witchcraft Folklore of New Orleans” →

History of New Orleans Voodoo

New Orleans Voodoo History and New Orleans Voodoo Information ~ The History of Voodoo in New Orleans by Voodoo Priestess, Ms. Kalila Smith

New Orleans Voodoo and New Orleans Voodoo History ~ Ms. Kalila Smith, native New Orleans Voodoo Priestess and one of my favorite Voodoo practitioners and psychic mediums, provides us a glimpse into the history of Voodoo in New Orleans.

African Roots of Voodoo

The roots of Voodoo have been traced all the way back to Africa thousands of years ago. In his book, A Brief History of Voodoo: Slavery & the Survival of The African Gods, Mr. Andy Antippas gives an overview of this fascinating history. The Yoruba people of Southwestern and eastern Dahomey and Togo/Nigeria founded a great city called Ife. It is from the religious beliefs of Ife that Voodoo as we know it today has evolved. In 1799, a slave uprising in Haiti brought the Free People of Color and their Voodoo religion. These people had no reason to believe that they could not come to this city and worship freely.

The First Voodoo Queens

The first Voodoo Queen in New Orleans was Sanite’ DeDe, a young woman who bought her way to freedom, she would later be teacher and mentor to the most famous Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau! She would hold rituals in her courtyard on Dumaine (the same street Erzulie’s original shop opened in 1999) and Chartres Streets, just blocks away from the Cathedral.  The rhythmic beat of the drums could be heard in during mass!

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About Goats Milk Spiritual Soaps at Erzulie’s

Goats Milk Soaps, Goats Milk Spiritual Soaps, Organic Goats Milk Soaps & Natural Goats Milk Soaps  ~ We thought our customers would like to know a little more about how these natural handmade goats milks soaps and exquisite spiritual goats milk soaps are handcrafted and why Erzulie’s goats milk soaps and Voodoo Spirit ™ Goats Milk Soaps are the finest we’ve ever seen!

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What Everyone Should Know About Sacred Attar Oils

About Attars, Sacred Attars, Pure Essential Attars, Attar Oils ~ The distillation methods and spiritual uses of Sacred Indian Attar Oils and Pure Essential Precious Oils is such a vast and complex topic; to be fluent in this ancient method of distillation and precious perfumery would require a lifetime of study and training. This academic article on the precious Attars Oils used in all of our Spiritual Perfume and Anointing Oils is courtesy of the precious oil masters, Chris & Susan McCann for Erzulie’s Voodoo of New Orleans.

WHAT ARE ATTARS OILS & WHY ARE THEY SO SACRED? Attars are traditional Indian perfumes which are created by hydro-distilling various flowers, roots, herb and spices into pure sandalwood oil. The word, “sandalwood” in English, or “chandan” in Hindi, evokes a world of ancient mystery, sanctity, and devotion making sandalwood is one of the most revered and sacred elements in ancient spiritual traditions. Since sandalwood is central to this type of unique perfume, several distilleries are located in Kannauj, India that specializes in sandalwood production.

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What You Should Know About Pure Essential Oils

What You SHould KNow About Pure Essential Oils ~ Producing Essential Oils, Ottos, Attars, Ruhs & Pure Absolute Oils

What You Should Know About The Production Of Pure Essential Oils, Volatile Oils & Plant Essences by Erzulie’s Voodoo © of New Orleans

Pure Essential Oils and all about Pure Essential Oils…. In the broadest sense, the term “essential oil” describes the volatile substances inherent in aromatic botanicals that result from the distillation process. However, the term is often employed in a generic sense and used as a broad “blanket” description of aromatic essences we derive today from many very different extraction methods.

Following is an overview of some of the more common extraction techniques used to obtain the aromatic part of botanical materials to produce pure essential oils, Ottos, Attars, Ruhs & Absolute Oils. This information has been included to help explain the difference between the various pure essential, Ottos, Attars, Ruhs and absolute oils we offer here at Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans and, to help you as the consumer understand more about the nature of pure plant essences used in our pure essential oil Spiritual Perfumes, Spiritual Anointing Oils and hand-blended, pure essential oil Voodoo Ritual Oils.

Continue reading “What You Should Know About Pure Essential Oils” →

History of New Orleans Witchcraft and New Orleans Voodoo

A brief history and comparison of New Orleans Witchcraft and Voodoo in New Orleans by Priestess Kalila Smith

Ms. Kalila Smith, native New Orleans Voodoo and Witchcraft practitioner, provides us a glimpse into the history of Witchcraft and Voodoo in New Orleans. She has published so many books, papers and historical tours on this topic; we couldn’t have found a more renowned expert on New Orleans Witchcraft and New Orleans Voodoo and we are thrilled she is part of the Erzulie’s Voodoo family!

New Orleans Witchcraft and Voodoo! New Orleans is one of the most magical and mysterious cities on earth, in addition to being one the most occult active cities in America. Home not only to its own brand of Voodoo, and its derivatives, but a home to European Witchcraft as well! Its magical ambiance has attracted a melting pot of magical beliefs and cultures from literally all over the world. Having grown up in New Orleans, I was exposed to vast array of magical practices.

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Voodoo Spells & Love Spells: Don’t Cast Love Spells, Voodoo Spells or Witchcraft Spells Until You Read This!

Voodoo Spells and Love Spells!  STOP: Don’t Cast Love Spells, Voodoo Spells OR Ritual Spells Until You Read This!

Learn all about Love Spells, Voodoo Spells, How To Cast Magic Spells, Love Spells, Voodoo Spells, Witchcraft Spells & Perform Ritual Spells and Magic with this excellent primer on spell casting so graciously provided by our Vodou Elder & Godfather, Hougan Aboudja.

Voodoo Spells, Love Spells & Voodoo Ritual Spells~ Trying to Cast Love Spells, Voodoo Spells or Magical Spells? Read some wise words from Hougan Aboudja. Not until you do some much-needed preparation and thought.  A love spell, Voodoo Spell or any magic spell or ritual for that matter, should not be done in a casual, offhand manner.  Nor at the height of a extreme emotions. Love Spells and Magic Spells often go awry when we cast them in the heat of the moment or on an emotional whim.  When we do not take the time to think about what we want to do, then we get in over our heads and have all kinds of unforeseen problems. Our experts can explain in greater detail how this energetic scenario harms or impedes your outcome during your spiritual consultation. Continue reading “Voodoo Spells & Love Spells: Don’t Cast Love Spells, Voodoo Spells or Witchcraft Spells Until You Read This!” →

Secrets of Voodoo – Using Voodoo Ritual Powders, Ritual Oils & Candles for Love Spells

Secrets of Voodoo Spells using Ritual Oils, Ritual Powders and Ritual Candles ~ How Do I Use Them for Best Results? 

How to use ritual powders, ritual oils and rituals items for your Voodoo Spells, Love Spells, Magic Spells and Voodoo Ritual Spells ~ An Easy “How-To” Perform Voodoo Spells &  Magical Rituals Primer by Erzulie’s Voodoo of New Orleans! This is the section to learn more about using our Voodoo magical ritual items, ritual candles, ritual oils, and more to create your very own Voodoo Spells & Magic Voodoo Rituals!

We are happy to provide some basic understanding of how to effectively use Voodoo Ritual Oils, Voodoo Powders, Altar Candles & Voodoo spiritual items to assist you in your spiritual work.   Please read this section carefully to help you work with the Voodoo dolls, magical fetishes, ritual candles, ritual powders and spiritual ritual oils found at Erzulie’s! Continue reading “Secrets of Voodoo – Using Voodoo Ritual Powders, Ritual Oils & Candles for Love Spells” →

How to Use Voodoo Fetish Dolls & Voodoo Wanga Dolls

What Are Voodoo Fetish Dolls, Wanga Dolls & Magical Voodoo Dolls—and How Do I Use Them?

We are often asked how one actually uses our Voodoo Fetish Dolls, Veve Dolls, Voodoo Mojo Dolls, Mojo Bags & Sacred Talismans and thought these instructions for those looking to use our magical Voodoo Wanga Dolls, Gris-Gris Bags and Sacred Voodoo Talismans!

Introduction: How to use Voodoo Fetish Wanga Dolls at Erzulie’s Voodoo

This article is part of our Spiritual Summary Series™ at Erzulie’s Voodoo of New Orleans, offering practitioner-led guidance on how to use sacred Vodou tools in your rituals and spellwork. These primers help you understand the deeper spiritual mechanics behind our handcrafted Voodoo Fetish Dolls, Wanga Dolls, Gris-Gris Bags, Mojo Bags, and Sacred Talismans.

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Voodoo Dolls & New Orleans Voodoo Dolls ~ What You Should Know

Voodoo Dolls and Magic Voodoo Dolls: What YOU should know about Voodoo Dolls!  How does one use Voodoo Dolls anyway? A Voodoo Doll primer by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans!

We are often asked at Erzulie’s New Orleans Voodoo Shop how one actually uses Voodoo Dolls, and thought these instructions provided may be helpful for those looking to use our Voodoo Dolls, New Orleans Voodoo Dolls, Voodoo Fetish Dolls, Voodoo Wanga Dolls and magical Voodoo Dolls at Erzulie’s Authentic of New Orleans! To answer the questions of how do I use my Voodoo Dolls? We prepared an easy “how to” primer below on What You Should Know About Voodoo Dolls to help our customers. Continue reading “Voodoo Dolls & New Orleans Voodoo Dolls ~ What You Should Know” →