Experiencing New Orleans Voodoo
Quick Travel Guide to Voodoo Temples and Tours in the Big Easy
May 31, 2008
Voodoo is as much a part of the New Orleans culture as jazz and Cajun cuisine. While vacationing in New Orleans, learn about Voodoo at the following tourist-friendly sights.
Marie Laveau’s Tomb in St. Louis Cemetery Number 1 - Priestess Marie Laveau (1801 – 1881), the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans was a free woman of color, famous healer and leader of all of the Voodoos in New Orleans. Love potions were her specialty. Her daughter, Marie Laveau II (1827 – 1895) was also a famous voodoo priestess. Laveau’s finally resting place is in New Orleans’ oldest cemetery, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
Visitors to her tomb ask for favors and leave offerings hoping their wishes will be granted. It’s common to see offerings of coins, flowers, Mardi Gras beads, alcohol and other trinkets. Tomb visitors have defaced Laveau’s tomb by marking three “x’s” on it. The act is believed to bring luck but if caught, it will result in a hefty fine since it’s unlawful to deface tombs in the cemetery.
St. Louis Cemetery is a Catholic cemetery founded in 1789. It’s located on the corner of Basin Street and St. Louis Street and is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday. There is no admission fee.
Voodoo Spiritual Temple and Cultural Center (828 N. Rampart Street, Tel: (504) 522-9627) - Priestess Miriam is a respected voodoo priestess and owns the Voodoo Spiritual Temple. Walking into her temple can be overwhelming with all the paintings, prints and photographs mounted on the walls. Sculptures representing various religions, such as Catholicism and Buddhism, stand out and the temple is lit by clusters of candles. Most intriguing are the business cards, handwritten notes asking for favors and dollar bills pinned to the walls or carefully placed on shelves, tables or in the hands of statues.
The temple is available for visiting, praying, meditating or for a consultation with Priestess Miriam. Flash photography is permitted. A gift shop sells voodoo dolls, fetish dolls, t-shirts, masks and African statues. Donations welcomed.
New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum (724 rue Dumaine, Tel: (504) 680-0128) - This is a terrific place for an overview of New Orleans voodoo. Marie Laveau is front and center along with Laveau II. The gris-gris room discusses the magical supernatural powers of Voodoo and explains how it’s usually not used for evil (think love spells). Here, a top hat-wearing skeleton stands in a corner (a cross between a werewolf and vampire) next to a Louisiana rougarou (an alligator-headed creature). The altar room is used for meditation, praying and leaving small objects in exchange for favors from the spirits.
Custom gris-gris bags and spells are available with advance notice. Need a love potion? Looking for good fortune? Contact the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum. Walking tours are offered, too. Call for schedule and pricing. Flash photography is permitted. Contact the museum for hours of operation and cost.
New Orleans Spirit Tours (Meet at the Royal Blend Coffee & Tea House, 621 Royal Street, Tel: (504) 314-0806) - Exploring Voodoo for the first time or figuring out where to begin can be a bit overwhelming. Join a walking tour for a little guidance. New Orleans Spirit Tours leads a two-hour cemetery and Voodoo tour, taking participants to Voodoo Priestess Marie Laveau’s tomb and Priestess Miriam’s temple. Tours are led Monday through Saturday, 1:15 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The cost is $20 per person, reservations suggested.
Whether it be visiting a museum or temple or joining a walking tour, there are many opportunities to learn about Voodoo while vacationing in New Orleans. Be sure to be respectful towards the Voodoo religion and culture. Doing so may bring good luck.
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