Posted on 06/24/2006 11:20:42 PM PDT by Coleus
June 24 is St. John's Day, named for St. John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus. It's also the holiest day of year for voodoo practitioners. Voodoo has long been accepted as part of New Orleans' culture, while in the rest of the country it remains misunderstood and often disparaged. St. John's Day, which falls every year around the summer solstice, is a celebration of growing and moving forward. Practitioners and curiosity-seekers alike gather and participate in various ceremonies.
This year, the observance of St. John's Day is more important than ever. "This is a time when people can heal or choose not to," said John T. Martin, a voodoo priest. "New Orleans needs a lot of help now." It's been estimated that 15 percent of New Orleans residents practice voodoo in some way, although it is impossible to confirm. "Most believers are solitary practitioners, fearful of negative energy from others not true at heart," said Martin.
On special occasions, people gather to celebrate what is often perceived as a dangerous religion. Voodoo is a nature-based system of worship, similar to pagan religions. There are even certain similarities between Catholicism and voodoo. Both religions believe in an omnipotent creator as well as intermediaries between man and God — the loa in voodoo, and saints in Catholicism.
Celebrating the Voodoo Queen
The religion came to New Orleans via the slave trade and has had a presence in the city ever since. Marie Laveau, a voodoo priestess who died in 1881, furthered the religion in the region through her immense popularity. She was a free woman of color and a devout Catholic who became the most powerful voodoo queen in the world. Working as a hairdresser for New Orleans' elite, she transcended the racial and class boundaries of the time. She was also believed to have magical powers. It is said that she had 15 children, including two sets of twins and one set of triplets, after performing a fertility ritual.
Ceremonies are being held throughout New Orleans this weekend to celebrate renewal and to honor Marie Laveau, as well as the loas who are believed to look over the living. Voodoo priestess Sallie Ann Glassman will host a head-washing ceremony, similar to a baptism, on the banks of Bayou St. John, which runs alongside New Orleans City Park. Followers will offer gifts at makeshift altars, some private and some public, around the city. Tourism is New Orleans' main industry, and inquisitive tourists can learn more about voodoo at the various shops and the Voodoo Museum in the French Quarter. The International House Hotel in downtown New Orleans also caters to interested visitors, hosting an array of voodoo events around St. John's Day. Asked if Hurricane Katrina has changed the way voodoo is seen in New Orleans today, John T. Martin said, "More people are interested in alternatives because they are troubled due to things not happening as they should."
Earth Day?
:)
Chuckle.
Ray Nagin Day?
somehow I just can't put together the words "holy" and "voodoo"...
ON THE NET...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=voodoo
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=voodoo&ie=UTF-8&scoring=d
Metal cage death match, every three years. Trust me when I say it is a lot more boring than it might sound.
somehow I just can't put together the words "holy" and "voodoo"...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
HOLY VOODOO, BATMAN!!!!!
Look at their mayor. Relying on voodoo seems sensible by comparison
It would explain their voting patterns.
Maybe what the idiot reporter meant was that she was the most well-known or sought after. She could have a lot of clients, but of course that doesn't mean she had any powers at all. And like other posters, I'm a bit confused as to how she could be an observant Catholic and voodoo priestess.
I swear I would like to know there they come up with 15 percent of nola folks practice some form of voodoo.
Somehow I just can't put together the idea of the "Holy city of New Orleans"
Down in Lou´siana where the black trees grow
Live a voodoo lady named Marie Laveaux.
She got a black cat tooth and a mojo bone,
And anyone wouldn´t leave her alone.
She go GREEEEEEEEEEEE...
Another man done gone.
She live in a swamp in a hollow log
With a one-eyed snake and a three-legged dog.
She got a bent bony body and stringy hair,
And if she ever seen you messin´ round there,
She go GREEEEEEEEEEEE...
Another man done gone.
And then one night when the moon was black,
Into the swamp came Handsome Jack.
A no-good man like you all know,
And he was lookin´ around for Marie Laveaux .
He said, "Marie Laveaux, you lovely witch,
Why don´t you gimme a little charm that´ll make me rich.
Gimme million dollars, and I´ll tell you what I´ll do...
This very night I´m gonna marry you."
It´ll be UMMMMMMMM...
Another man done gone.
So Marie done some magic and she shook a little sand,
Made a million dollars, and she put it in his hand.
Then she giggled and she wiggled and she said, "Hey hey,
I´m gettin´ ready for my wedding day."
But ol´ Handsome Jack said "Goo-bye Marie.
You too damn ugly for a man like me."
So Marie started shakin´, her fangs started gnashin´,
Her body started shakin´, and her eyes started flashin´.
She went GREEEEEEEEEEEE...
Another man done gone.
So if you ever get down where the black tree grow
And meet a voodoo lady named Marie Laveaux,
And if she ever asks you to make her your wife,
Man, you better stay with her for the rest of your life
Or it´ll be GREEEEEEEEEEEE...
Another man done gone.
Obviously they didn't get the message last hurricane season.... Sigh...
I'd forgotten all about that song....;]
Here's this just in case the "GREEEEEEE" part makes people go "whuh?"
http://www.calastrology.com/grisgris.html
No, it is disparaged because it is understood.
No, it is disparaged because it is understood.
Sticking pins in little dolls to perform magic is not anything to do with God. A spade is a spade and devil worship is devil worship. Welcome to an up-side-down world.
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