Marie Laveau: All About the New Orleans Voodoo Queen!
The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans: Marie Laveau!
In all times, in all places, no one has ever risen to the statue or fame in Voodoo as Marie Laveau. Famed in history, infamous in folklore and ever present, even today. Marie Catherine Laveau was born in New Orleans on September 10, 1801. She was the natural daughter of two free persons of color, both mulattos. She was a free woman of color and a Creole. She was married to Jacques Paris in 1819 at the St. Louis Cathedral with the famed Père Antoine officiating. Article courtesy of our dearly missed friend John, curator of the New Orleans Voodoo Museum! May he rest in peace.
Family, Plaçage, and Her Children
She had two children, both of whom appear to have died before reaching maturity. With a few years, her husband apparently also died she began calling herself the Widow Paris, a name that survived onto her tomb. Around the mid 1820’s she began a plaçage with Louis Christophe Dominick Duminy de Glapion with who she bore seven more children. (The plaçage system afforded interracial couples a marriage of conscience, if not legality).
Welcome to Erzulie’s Voodoo Shop, located in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans. For over 25 years, we’ve served as a sanctuary for authentic Vodou spiritual services, handcrafted ritual items, and compassionate community missions.
Whether you’re seeking psychic readings, spiritual consultations, or magical tools, our practitioner-led team is here to guide you with integrity and ancestral wisdom. We hope you feel right at home and enjoy every moment of your spiritual and magical journey with us. If you need anything, just reach out support@erzulies.com—we’re here for you!
We invite you to explore our sacred offerings, learn about our cultural preservation work, and connect with the Divine through our legacy of service.
❤️ Contact ERZULIE’S VOODOO — We’re Here for You!
We are honored to walk beside you on your spiritual journey. Whether you’re seeking clarity, healing, or ritual support, we’re here to help.
📍 Admin Office: 1000 Rue Bourbon, Suite #361, New Orleans, LA 70116 (order processing only)
Please read more about Erzulie’s Voodoo New Orleans, our work in preserving sacred spiritual traditions, and our compassionate missions below:
❤️ ERZULIE’S SPIRITUAL Offerings:
Authentic Vodou Products: Every item is handcrafted by initiated practitioners and spiritually prepared with intention. Available 24/7 through our website.
Private Spiritual Services: Our shop is reserved for private rituals, legacy fulfillment, curatorial work, and ceremonial client services.
Psychic Readings: Available seven days a week during standard business hours.
❤️ Our Spiritual Ethics & Practitioner Integrity at Erzulie’s Voodoo:
We hold our traditions, spiritual beliefs, and the teachings of our elder clergy in the highest regard.
We serve solely in accordance with God, the Lwa, Orishas, Saints & our Ancestors.
Upholding strict privacy policies for our clients.
Advising only those rituals or Voodoo spells that will be of benefit you, or better align with your desired outcome.
We will never mislead you with spiritual suggestions which will not serve you or your highest good.
Providing honest and ethical advice, rather than simply telling you what you want to hear.
We adhere to strict spiritual ethics in all psychic readings, love readings and spiritual consultations.
We are deeply committed to providing a safe space of respect, empathy, and creating a positive experience for every client.
Every client is approached with care, compassion, and kindness; creating a supportive, healing and uplifting experience with every interaction.
❤️ Cultural Preservation, Education & Practitioner-Led Curation:
Erzulie’s Voodoo is deeply committed to preserving and honoring the sacred traditions of African Traditional Religions, African Diaspora, and Afro-Caribbean spiritual practices. We collaborate with universities, museums, and cultural institutions across the U.S. and Caribbean to elevate Vodou heritage through education, exhibition, and practitioner-led storytelling.
In recent years, we’ve expanded into cultural preservation and educational outreach—curating exhibitions, developing spiritual resources, and creating sacred spaces where ancestral wisdom meets contemporary spiritual needs. Our goal is to help individuals connect with the Divine, explore their spiritual roots, and engage with these vibrant traditions in a respectful and authentic way.
We’ve partnered with spiritual educators and cultural institutions to:
Curate exhibitions and cultural presentations on Vodou and African Diaspora traditions
Develop practitioner-led educational materials for spiritual seekers and scholars
Provide clarity and reverence for ancestral wisdom in modern spiritual practice
Support respectful engagement through storytelling, symbolism, and lived experience
See a complete list of Erzulie’s Voodoo in the Media, and our current cultural preservation, education, curation & exhibition projects!
At Erzulie’s Voodoo, our offerings include a thoughtfully curated selection of authentic ritual items, traditional services, spiritual artifacts, and educational resources that reflect the depth and diversity of these sacred traditions. Every product is handcrafted with care—infused with cultural significance, spiritual power, and expert craftsmanship. By making these items accessible online, we empower our clients to engage in their spiritual practices with integrity and devotion.
Our practitioners are deeply rooted in ancestral lineages and decades of authentic Vodou service. Some choose to remain partially anonymous—not out of secrecy, but to preserve the sanctity of their spiritual work while maintaining parallel professional roles in mainstream industries. This guarded privacy ensures their safety, dignity, and continued ability to serve without interference.
We honor these boundaries as part of our legacy of protection. Every ritual offered reflects lived experience, spiritual authority, and practitioner-led integrity. We proudly showcase many members of our magical family throughout the website—so browse around to meet the expert spiritualists who make Erzulie’s Voodoo a sanctuary of compassion, wisdom, and transformation.
❤️ Compassionate Missions: Animal Rescue and Advocacy:
Spirituality is compassion in action. We support animal rescue efforts for abused and neglected horses, dogs, cats, and wildlife. At our Voodoo shop, we believe in the power of spirituality to foster compassion and healing—not just for people, but for all living beings. We have always been dedicated to supporting animal rescue efforts, particularly for abused and neglected animals, with a deep connection to horses, dogs, kitties, and protecting wildlife in their natural habitat.
Our mission is to create a nurturing environment where spirituality meets compassion. We aim to raise awareness about the plight of abused animals and to provide support for local animal rescue organizations dedicated to their care and rehabilitation. Erzulie’s Voodoo shop serves as a platform for raising awareness about the issues facing abused animals. We share, support and financially sponsor rescue missions, emergency surgery needs, information about local rescues, education, share success stories, and provide resources for those interested in adopting or fostering animals.
Compassion for God’s most innocent souls is the true work of the Divine and Spirit We also sponsor and donate to our local warriors in New Orleans, and other markets, for those angels who are on the ground, rescuing these precious souls from unimaginable conditions. These are the true heroes of the world! We invite you to join us in our efforts to make a difference in the lives of these vulnerable animals.
Whether through participating in animal rescue events, donating whenever you can, fostering a soul in crisis, or simply spreading the word about animal rescue, your support can create a lasting impact. Together, we can harness the power of spirituality to foster a compassionate community dedicated to the welfare of all creatures. It is MAGICAL watching the transformation that occurs with rehabilitating, healing and a finding a loving environment for these beautiful and precious fur babies! It is sunshine for your soul too, I promise you! If you know someone in need of support for their animal rescue, we’re here to help! Reach out to us at support@erzulies.com.
❤️ Join Our Spiritual Family:
Thank you for being a part of our Vodou family and joining us in our commitment to cultural preservation, education, and compassionate animal rescue. Your support helps keep sacred traditions alive while nurturing a more humane and gentle world! We are truly honored to serve you and wish you every blessing on your spiritual path. Alafia from all of us at Erzulie’s Voodoo Shop, New Orleans.
Erzulie’s Voodoo New Orleans Headquarters — Storefront Gallery
A visual glimpse into our sacred space and original Royal Street location in the French Quarter.
Kind greetings and warm wishes! Thank you for visiting us and learning more about the beginnings of Erzulie’s Voodoo Shop in the French Quarter. This had to have been the hardest section to write on the entire site. What does one say? For those who are interested in how Erzulie’s began, we wanted to tell our story to anyone who wants to take the time and say hello! Continue reading “About the Founder”→
Mama Lola the Legendary Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn
Spotlight and Photo of legendary Vodou Priestess: Mama Lola. We adore her at Erzulie’s Voodoo, and this was taken after a Voodoo Fest ritual in New Orleans. We have so many amazing photos of rituals and ceremonies with her over years and will post more as we update website of those glorious Vodou rituals. Continue reading “Vodou Priestess Mama Lola”→
New Orleans Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau! Brief History of Marie Laveau – The New Orleans Voodoo Queen!
Introduction: The Legacy of Marie Laveau
What you should know about New Orleans Voodoo and New Orleans Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau! Another Voodoo history segment from Priestess Kalila Smith‘s research and published chapters on Voodoo In New Orleans and our beloved Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau! The most noted Queen of Voodoo was Marie Laveau. She was born in 1783, to Marguerite Darcantel, a slave from Haiti and mistress of a wealthy plantation owner, a Frenchman, Charles Laveau. In the 1700 & 1800’s, French aristocratic men often took women of color as mistresses in a custom called placage.
Early Life and Family Background
In the placage arrangement, children of the union had right of heir ship and bore the father’s name. No doubt in this sort of arrangement, the children would also be reared in their fathers’ religion, Catholicism. Marie was raised in her father’s plantation. She was educated and studied to be a hairdresser. She was a devout Catholic, who went to mass everyday of her life. She was a dark skinned woman with long black hair that she frequently wore in a single braid making her look much like an Indian or a Gypsy, probably adding to her mystique.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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”→
