Voodoo Queen: The Spirited Lives of Marie Laveau

The Spirited Lives of Marie Laveau Marie Laveau, a legendary leader of spiritual traditions, and her daughter, also bearing the name, were free women of color and prominent French-speaking Catholic Creoles. From the 1820s until the 1880s, gossip, fear, and fierce affection swirled about them, as they applied their "magical" powers and uncommon business sense to shift the course of love, luck, and the law. The women understood the real crime - pitting their spiritual forces against the slave system of the United States, leading their people out of bondage and offering protection and freedom to the community. Their lives were marked by both benevolence and controversy, as they countered the relentless gossip of curses, evil spirits, murders, and infant sacrifice with acts of kindness. The book also delves into the mystery of Marie Laveau's tomb, where thousands of pilgrims visit each year, seeking her favors or fearing her lingering influence. By exploring the Laveau family's history, the author sheds light on the complex cultural identity of free people of color in the United States. This study offers a unique perspective on the lives of two remarkable women, whose spiritual traditions and business acumen had a lasting impact on the community.