The Banishing Magick of Marie Laveau

One of my favorite witches in history is Marie Laveau.

Born in 1792, she was a free woman of color in New Orleans and is known for exerting the most power and influence over American Magick. Before her, Voodoo and African-derived spiritual traditions, as well as the occult in general, were feared or disreputed and lingered in the shadows.

Marie’s influence can be seen at Curio, Craft & Conjure, as she also took various “strains” of Magick and wove them together, creating a coherent, organized system.

Marie achieved great fame and notoriety in her lifetime. She attended church daily and performed acts of charity while discreetly redeeming enslaved people and working for abolition.

I love that Laveau was the first to demand that her beliefs and traditions be openly incorporated into daily life, not hidden in the shadows. This is also something we encourage by example at Curio – letting people know that each of us here has her own personal practice – which is our way of life.

Marie demonstrated public pride in her spiritual traditions when it was still dangerous and controversial to do so. Although much has changed, we often see the stress that still accompanies “new-to-magick” clients visiting us. Marie paved the way for anyone who unabashedly and openly practices magick.

I don’t know whether the following spell is hers or whether her name was attached to bestow power. However, it is considered one of the most effective banishing spells there is.

A “banishing spell” removes something or someone from your presence – often permanently. It is traditionally done during the waning moon, with the hopes that as the moon disappears, so will your problem.

1. Write your target’s name nine times on a square of a brown paper bag.
2. Cover and cross your target’s name with your own saying, “I cross you, I cover you, I command you, I compel you to ….” (fill in your desire)
3. Place the paper inside a small glass jar.
4. Fill the bottle with 4 Thieves Vinegar and close it tightly.
5. Dispose of the bottle by tossing it over your left shoulder into running water without looking back.

• These days, many folks dispose of it without polluting, but the goal is that it goes far away from you.

We are excited to announce now carry our own house-made 4 Thieves Vinegar for Curio, Craft & Conjure clients!