The Marie Laveau Voodoo Grimoire

“The Marie Laveau Voodoo Grimoire is the stuff! Everything about this book feels just right. It’s spare yet lush; vintage but with a fresh tone. Like Grandma’s dresser, it’s filled with sensual delights and well-kept secrets. I was hooked from page one. I want this book. I need this book in my magickal library, and you will too. Sister, you had me at Potlikker!”

—Priestess Stephanie Rose Bird, magick-maker, artist, and author of Motherland Herbal, African American Magick, The Healing Tree, and numerous others

“The Marie Laveau Voodoo Grimoire is a compelling exploration of Voodoo traditions, dispelling myths and offering deep insights into the spiritual practices of this ancient and misunderstood religion. Denise Alvarado's writing is both engaging and informative, making it accessible to both newcomers and seasoned practitioners alike. Whether you are a curious reader interested in the occult or a dedicated student of Voodoo, this book provides a rich and enlightening experience. Once again her impeccably researched material offers her readers much more than expected.”

—Denise Augustine, owner of Our Sacred Stories Tour Company

“To quote Denise Alvarado, ‘A book has the power to bewitch and enchant,’ and The Marie Laveau Voodoo Grimoire certainly fulfills that potential. . . . Alvarado’s work is thorough, respectful, and rooted in her own deep knowledge of traditional practices, coupled with an anthropologist’s attention to meticulous research. At the same time, she is unafraid to interpret and expand to reflect contemporary needs as well as her own inspiration. The Marie Laveau Voodoo Grimoire is full of useful information. But this is not a simple recipe book. The author explores the whys and wherefores—why you might want to employ a certain ingredient, what the meaning and power is within the ingredient, as well as the metaphor of the particular spell that renders the work effective. . . . By building creatively upon tradition, Denise Alvarado embodies the spirit of Marie Laveau, which elevates the work and lends vibrancy to her great legacy.”

—Sallie Ann Glassman, author of Vodou Visions, artist and cocreator of The New Orleans Voodoo Tarot

“The Marie Laveau Voodoo Grimoire is, without a doubt, the most delightful book I’ve read this year! Offering a glimpse into Marie Laveau’s life via historical tidbits, newspaper clippings, and quotations from those who knew her, this book is anything but a typical grimoire. While you’ll find the anticipated fare of charms, spells, formulas, and rituals, there’s also the unexpected surprise of recipes for bath and beauty, laundry and cleaning products, cures and remedies for minor afflictions, and—my personal favorite—traditional Southern dishes to prepare for family and friends. What Denise Alvarado has given us with this book is much more than a simple grimoire. It’s a rare gift—a quintessential guide to conjuring a magical life—and one that all practitioners will use and cherish.”

—Dorothy Morrison, author of Utterly Wicked

“The Marie Laveau Voodoo Grimoire by Denise Alvarado is a book steeped in New Orleans mysticism. It is a foundational understanding of Voodoo rites and rituals that delves way beyond the lore and fascination with Laveau’s enchanting hold on the city. This book is a must-have for folks researching the residual impact of spirituality on displaced Africans who call New Orleans family. Alvarado has written a prolific and redemptive tale, a delicious stew of just how revolution got its claim to fame.”

—Mawiyah Kai El-Jamah Bomani, author of Conjuring the Calabash