Description
Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits & Hoodoo Saints: A Guide to Magical New Orleans by Denise Alvarado offers readers an enchanting journey into the mystical heart of New Orleans. As a native of the city and a seasoned scholar of indigenous healing traditions, Alvarado provides a captivating exploration of the spiritual underbelly that thrives within its streets.
Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, Alvarado introduces readers to a colourful cast of characters, from the legendary Marie Laveau to lesser-known figures like Annie Christmas and Black Hawk. She traces the origins of these spirits and folk saints, revealing how their legacies continue to shape the spiritual landscape of New Orleans today.
Alvarado’s deep connection to her Creole heritage and her decades-long study of Southern folk traditions infuse the book with authenticity and insight. As a rootworker in the Louisiana folk magic tradition and a teacher of Southern conjure, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her exploration of the city’s magical traditions.
Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits & Hoodoo Saints not only uncovers the hidden histories of New Orleans but also celebrates the city’s rich cultural tapestry. Alvarado’s passion for her subject shines through on every page, offering readers an immersive experience that is both informative and enchanting.
Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a curious newcomer, this book serves as an invaluable guide to the magical wonders of New Orleans. Alvarado invites readers to step into a world where spirits roam freely and the veil between the mundane and the mystical is thin, inviting us to discover the magic that lies hidden in plain sight.
“Alvarado blends New Orleans’s indigenous queens, spirits, and saints into a holy trinity that is part myth, part tall tale, and part historical accuracy as only a daughter of the crescent city could. This book is a must-have for any serious lover, devotee, or student of New Orleans from an African-centered perspective.” – Maiyah Kai EL-Jamah Bomani, award-winning playwright of Spring Chickens
“New Orleans is legendary, complex, and delicious, and I suspect few people know it better than Denise Alvarado. Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits, and Hoodoo Saints is her love story to the practices in this great American city.” – H. Byron Ballard, author of Seasons of a Magical Life
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