James Duvalier

According to popular belief in Haiti, there is an elegant female lwa named Mademoiselle Charlotte who is quite elusive and whose appearances at Vodou dances and ceremonies is considered a rare and unique blessing. She has been known to appear in physical form as a young beautifully dressed white woman wearing a silk kerchief, dark sunglasses, white gloves and immaculately coiffed with a 1950’s hair style driving a pink Cadillac around quiet neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince and the…
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It is a common belief in Voodoo that when we die we remain close to Earth, close to loved ones and it is the responsibility of those still living to care for the dead and elevate them closer to the light, to Heaven…toward God. We elevate our ancestors through prayer, having masses said, lighting candles and leaving glasses of water, flowers and perfume as offerings. We believe that the more we help the dead, the faster they…
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First of all, let me make clear that I am not a hougan, a priest of Haitian Vodou. I have not undergone the kanzo initiation and I do not pretend to be an expert on that tradition or have any knowledge beyond the basics. I am however a life long practitioner of Louisiana Voodoo and am highly knowledgeable in its traditions, am a ceremonial expert and highly skilled in the preparation of gris gris and spells. I…
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Saint Expedite is an extremely powerful and fast acting folk saint popular in New Orleans among Voodooists and mainstream Catholics alike.  His image is housed at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church across from Saint Louis Cemetery Number 1, both very important sites of Voodoo pilgrimage.  Lately, in my consultations with clients, Saint Expedite has been showing up more and more and I have been using him in my work.  So, I’ve decided to share a little about…
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Origins: The origins of Lady Luck are obscured in history.  She is perhaps a modern manifestation of the Roman goddess Fortuna.  Well known in gambling circles, her intercession is often called upon when pulling the lever on a slot machine or tossing dice onto a gaming table.  Starting in the early 1900’s, many products, such as perfumes, colognes and soaps began to appear in Southern Hoodoo circles promising to call down the blessings of Lady Luck.  I…
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