As far back as I can remember, the practice of drawing three crossmarks on Marie Laveau’s tomb was referred to as the “Wishing Ritual.” The ritual has always had some variations on a theme, but the manner in which I am familiar is to approach her tomb and give her a few compliments about her strength, intelligence, and beauty, and acknowledge her as Voudou Queen. Then, knock on the tomb three times. In the past, you would write three crossmarks with red brick on her tomb, but nowadays you can just make the gesture with your finger. Next, make your petition and ask her for what you want. Thank her and go to St. Louis Cathedral and light a candle. Leave a donation to really get in her good graces.
If you approach Marie Laveau’s tomb and make a wish and it comes true, it used to be customary to return to her grave site with flowers and other offerings to thank her. However, leaving offerings at the tomb is no longer allowed. Therefore, one way to get around leaving a physical offering at the time of petitioning her is to make a donation to charity via your mobile phone while there. This means you will have to prepare; decide which charity you wish to donate to and pull it up on your cell phone before going in to visit so you can do it quickly. Alternately, make your donation ahead of time and tell her that you did so in preparation of your visit and request for assistance.
To have access to the Wishing Tomb at all times without actually being there, I came up with an alternate act of devotion years ago. First, put an image of her tomb in a frame and set it on her altar. Using red lipstick, mark three crossmarks on the tomb side by side (XXX). Knock on the photo three times and ask Marie Laveau to grant your wish. For example: “Beautiful Marie Laveau, miracle worker of the courts, please see that the judge rules in my favor.” Then turn around three times clockwise, light a blue candle, and make an offering of fresh flowers, coconut cake, or fruit. When your wish comes true, wipe off the crossmarks and clean the frame as if tidying up her grave. Thank Marie Laveau and make a donation to charity in her honor.
Another option for devotees to perform the wishing ritual is to visit the International Shrine of Marie Laveau located in the New Orleans Healing Center on St. Claude Avenue. Just inside the lobby is a shrine of Marie Laveau. New Orleans artist Ricardo Pustanio created the statue and donated it to Mambo Sallie Ann Glassman of La Source Ancienne Ounfo. A great community alternative to visiting her grave site, people leave little slips of paper and light candles at the shrine. The shrine was formally installed with a mosaic tile created via contributions from the community during a blessing ceremony at the Sacred Music festival in March 2015.
To have access to the Wishing Tomb at all times without actually being there, I came up with an alternate act of devotion years ago. First, put an image of her tomb in a frame and set it on her altar. Using red lipstick, mark three crossmarks on the tomb side by side (XXX). Knock on the photo three times and ask Marie Laveau to grant your wish. For example: “Beautiful Marie Laveau, miracle worker of the courts, please see that the judge rules in my favor.” Then turn around three times clockwise, light a blue candle, and make an offering of fresh flowers, coconut cake, or fruit. When your wish comes true, wipe off the crossmarks and clean the frame as if tidying up her grave. Thank Marie Laveau and make a donation to charity in her honor.
Another option for devotees to perform the wishing ritual is to visit the International Shrine of Marie Laveau located in the New Orleans Healing Center on St. Claude Avenue. Just inside the lobby is a shrine of Marie Laveau. New Orleans artist Ricardo Pustanio created the statue and donated it to Mambo Sallie Ann Glassman of La Source Ancienne Ounfo. A great community alternative to visiting her grave site, people leave little slips of paper and light candles at the shrine. The shrine was formally installed with a mosaic tile created via contributions from the community during a blessing ceremony at the Sacred Music festival in March 2015.
How to cite this page
Please take a moment to cite this page if you use the information. I've done the heavy lifting for you; all you have to do is copy and paste the reference.
APA 6th
Alvarado, D. (2019). The Wishing Ritual. Retrieved from https://www.marie-laveaux.com/wishing-ritual.html.
Alvarado, D. (2019). The Wishing Ritual. Retrieved from https://www.marie-laveaux.com/wishing-ritual.html.
Chicago 16th
Alvarado, Denise. “The Wishing Ritual,” 2019. https://www.marie-laveaux.com/wishing-ritual.html.
Alvarado, Denise. “The Wishing Ritual,” 2019. https://www.marie-laveaux.com/wishing-ritual.html.
MLA 8th
Alvarado, Denise. The Wishing Ritual. 2019, https://www.marie-laveaux.com/wishing-ritual.html.
Alvarado, Denise. The Wishing Ritual. 2019, https://www.marie-laveaux.com/wishing-ritual.html.
