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The Voodoo Spiritual Temple is the only formally established Voodoo temple in New Orleans. Located across the street of the Congo Square. The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum is a great place to stop in the French Quarter (Marie Laveau’s birthplace) to learn about Voodoo history. One of the most heavily involved groups of people in Voodoo is the Creole people. In colonial Louisiana the term “Creole” was used to indicate New World products derived from Old World stock and product and could apply to identify architecture, and food ways. Identity wise, Creole, historically referred to those born in Louisiana during French and Spanish periods regardless of ethnicity.

Today, as in the past, transcends of Creole racial bounds. It connects people to their colonial roots, they are being of European decent settlers, enslaved Africans, or those of mixed heritage. Which includes African, French, Spanish, and American Indian influencers. Louisiana has a vast and unique feel to it as many states do. Many faces, personalities, and drams flow through Louisiana every year. From Italians to Senegalese, Filipinos, to Irish, Vietnams and Hungarians each have triumphant stories of catastrophe. Louisiana Voodoo is often confused with (but not separate from) Haitian Voodoo and Southern Hoodoo. It’s different from voodoo queens, use of Hoodoo occult paraphernalia, and Li Grand Zombi (snaked deity). It was through Louisiana Voodoo that such terms as Gris-gris (a Wolof term) and Voodoo dolls were introduced into the American culture. Voodoo was brought to the French Colony Louisiana through the slave trade.

Louisiana Voodoo includes the recognition of one God who doesn’t interfere with the people’s daily lives and spirits. The spiritual forces can be kind of mischievous. It can shape daily life through and intercede in the peoples lives. They connect with the spirits by dancing, music, singing, and using snakes. The use of snakes represents, Legba, Voodoo’s main conduit. The voodoo serpent represents healing knowledge and connection between Heaven and Earth unlike Judeo- Christian. Deceased ancestors can also intercede in the lives of Voodoo followers. The main purpose of Louisiana Voodoo today is serving and influencing life events through connections with nature, spirits, and ancestors. Rituals are held in private, as rituals that are seen are considered disrespectful to spirits. Methods include readings, spiritual baths, specially devised diets, prayer, and used to cure anxiety, addictions, depression, loneliness, and other ailments. Voodoo seeks to help the hungry, the poor, and the sick as Marie Laveau previously did.