Marie Laveau, often referred to as "The Magician of Marie Laveau," was a legendary figure in New Orleans voodoo culture. Born in 1801, she became a powerful and influential priestess, renowned for her magical abilities and spiritual prowess. Laveau's charismatic personality and mastery of voodoo rituals combined to create an enigmatic and mystifying aura around her. Laveau's journey into the magical arts began early in her life. She learned the secrets of voodoo from her mother, who was also a skilled voodoo practitioner. Laveau's mother taught her daughter the intricate rituals, incantations, and spells used in voodoo ceremonies.
The summer solstice, June 21, marks the start of the summer months and the longest day of the year before the nights start to grow longer again. In nature based faiths this solstice is known as Litha and is considered one of the most sacred sabbats of the year. This is when people gathered (and still gather) at StoneHenge for day and night long celebrations watching the sun align and shine through a certain point in the structure. In its most basic essence, this day is a celebration of the sun and that it is still shining on us. It will go out one day and we should revel in the fact that we were born at this point in the Earth’s evolution. And the solstice also holds deeper nature metaphors for life, fertility, and the cycle of time and seasons. No matter what your view of spirituality or nature, the sun and summertime is always a thing worth celebrating.
As the days grow shorter and the sun s strength diminishes towards winter, we can also call upon the universe to support the healing of a world sick with patriarchal oppression that manifests itself in racism, misogyny, gun violence, police brutality, and prisons. Light candles, fill your bath with salts and essential oils, even flower petals or add essential oils to your shower and hang flowers from the shower head , burn cleansing palo santo or sage, and clear your mind.
Laveau's mother taught her daughter the intricate rituals, incantations, and spells used in voodoo ceremonies. Under her mother's guidance, Laveau developed a deep understanding of voodoo's rich history and traditions. As Laveau grew older, her reputation as a voodoo priestess soared.
How To Celebrate The Summer Solstice
This Sunday, June 21 is the Summer Solstice, also known as Litha or Midsummer. The days have progressively grown longer since the Winter Solstice, and Sunday, the longest day of the year, the sun is at its strongest. After Sunday they will now progressively get shorter. There are many ways witches celebrate the Summer Solstice—by decorating your altar with summer fruits, and flowers, and by leaving a candle burning all day long to honor the sun and the element of fire.
Fire gives us warmth and light, and symbolizes passion, creativity. But on this particular Summer Solstice, witches in the United States are acutely aware of what happens when humans use fire as fuel for hatred and violence. (I am thinking literally of gunfire, and of the horrific, heartbreaking massacre in South Carolina this week, in which a hateful young man opened fire on a church in Charleston, killing nine people, all of whom were beacons of light and beauty in their communities—a track coach, three pastors, a librarian, a mother and retired director of a community grant program.) In the wake of such senseless tragedy, which witches feel very deeply as the symptoms of an ailing world, we struggle to find footing as the powerful, grounded, healers, activists, communicators, and friends we need to be. The Summer Solstice, the day the sun is at its strongest, is a perfect time to commit, or re-commit to being an active, engaged agent of change, and to visualize a world full of light and warmth and free from violence and hatred.
The sun is often thought of as masculine, and the moon feminine. The God and Goddess. As the days grow shorter and the sun’s strength diminishes towards winter, we can also call upon the universe to support the healing of a world sick with patriarchal oppression that manifests itself in racism, misogyny, gun violence, police brutality, and prisons.
Here’s a meditation you can do at home, alone or with your coven.
1. Light a candle.
2. Thank the universe, the sun, for the element of fire, and for all of its properties which heal and support our lives. Make a list of all of your favorite uses of fire. Be as general (warmth, light) or specific (birthday candles, toasted marshmallows on a campfire) as you’d like. As the candle burns down, visualize all of the violent and hateful uses of fire disappearing, burning up in smoke.
3. Focus on the flame and think of the things that inspire you. Think about the fire inside of you that you’ll share with your community, and that will bring love and passion and healing warmth to the world around you, and picture it burning stronger. The fires of anger and grief are sacred too.
Fire gives us warmth and light, and symbolizes passion, creativity. But on this particular Summer Solstice, witches in the United States are acutely aware of what happens when humans use fire as fuel for hatred and violence. (I am thinking literally of gunfire, and of the horrific, heartbreaking massacre in South Carolina this week, in which a hateful young man opened fire on a church in Charleston, killing nine people, all of whom were beacons of light and beauty in their communities—a track coach, three pastors, a librarian, a mother and retired director of a community grant program.) In the wake of such senseless tragedy, which witches feel very deeply as the symptoms of an ailing world, we struggle to find footing as the powerful, grounded, healers, activists, communicators, and friends we need to be. The Summer Solstice, the day the sun is at its strongest, is a perfect time to commit, or re-commit to being an active, engaged agent of change, and to visualize a world full of light and warmth and free from violence and hatred.
People from all walks of life sought her guidance and participated in her ceremonies. Laveau was known to have a profound connection with the spirits and was believed to be capable of healing illnesses, granting wishes, and even cursing those who angered her or her followers. One of Laveau's most famous rituals was the infamous "Voodoo Queen's Blessing." This ceremony involved a combination of music, dance, drumming, and chanting, all designed to summon the spirits and gain their favor. The Voodoo Queen's Blessing became a highly sought-after experience, with people traveling from far and wide to witness and partake in its power. Laveau's influence extended beyond her spiritual practice. She was also known for her philanthropy and activism, helping the poor and combating racial injustice. Her presence was felt in the community, and she became a symbol of hope and strength for many residents of New Orleans. Even after her death in 1881, Laveau's legacy continued to captivate and inspire. Her reputation as a magician and voodoo priestess lives on today, with countless tales and legends surrounding her extraordinary abilities. The magician of Marie Laveau remains a symbol of the mysterious and powerful world of voodoo, forever etched into the rich history of New Orleans..
Reviews for "The Magic Spells of Marie Laveau: How to Cast Your Own Voodoo Magic"
1. John - 2 stars
I found "The Magician of Marie Laveay" to be extremely disappointing. The plot was confusing and lacked depth, making it hard for me to stay engaged. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development, which made it difficult for me to connect with them. Overall, I felt like the story was lacking substance and failed to deliver the promised thrills and excitement. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read.
2. Sarah - 1 star
"The Magician of Marie Laveay" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was bland and uninspiring, making it a struggle to push through the book. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot seemed to meander without a clear direction. The characters were unremarkable and lacked any real depth or personality. I found myself disinterested in their fates and didn't care about what happened to them. Overall, I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in this novel, and I would advise others to steer clear of it.
3. Mark - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Magician of Marie Laveay" based on the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The story was predictable and lacked originality, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, which made it hard to connect with the characters. Additionally, the writing lacked depth and failed to evoke any emotions in me as a reader. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and not worth my time or investment.
4. Lisa - 2 stars
I was not impressed with "The Magician of Marie Laveay". The narrative felt disjointed and jumped around too much, making it hard to follow. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of monotony followed by rushed action scenes. The characters felt flat and lacked development, which made it difficult for me to connect with them. I was hoping for a thrilling and immersive experience, but instead, I found myself bored and disinterested. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to my expectations.