Vampires, True Blood and Anne Rice

True Blood returns to HBO on June 16, 2013.  I can hardly wait.  I have a passion for Vampires, Witches, New Orleans, cemeteries and Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. 

I fell down the Vampire hole when I first saw "Interview With the Vampire" in the theatre.  During that time lots of people were reading Anne Rice and excitement about her writing was everywhere.  Honestly at that time I didn't understand what was the big deal.  And then I went to see the movie and this scene appeared before my eyes:

When she opened her eyes and looked at "Louis" a recognition shot through my soul, that I still have a hard time putting into words.

Who was this writer, who were these characters that spoke so deeply to my soul?.  I was a changed person after seeing "Interview With the Vampire".  I became obsessed with Anne Rice novels and and read all her Vampire Chronicles.  I was like a parched traveler in the desert, finding an oasis.  My favorite Chronicle is "Tale of the Body Thief".  And to my great glory, I met Anne Rice at an Author's signing and she signed my copy of  "Tale of the Body Thief".

I feel in love with Lestat and his unapologetic nature.  There is nothing sexier than a Vampire without guilt or remorse.  And definitely one that doesn't twinkle.  No sparkling Vampires for this woman.

On my first trip to New Orleans, I had a wonderful day touring the Garden District.  As fate would have it, I was alone the day I walked the Garden District and stood outside Anne Rice's home.  At the time she was still living in New Orleans.  I also toured Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.  While I was in the cemetery I had a creepy experience with one of the Guides.  Of course he was dressed in a top hat and had on round, blue sunglasses, which made it all the better.

Fast forward to True Blood.  I was hooked after the first episode of Season 1.  I could live and work in Bon Temps.  I'd have a little shack where I wrote and sometimes did Conjure work for folks, if I was in the mood to do so.  I'd take walks in the cemetery and have lunch at Merlotte's.  And I'd be a friend of the Vampires, but knowing their nature and that immortality is not what its cracked up to be, I'd stay away from their fangs.

Priestess Najah

Happy Birthday Marie LaVeau!

Tomorrow is the birthday of Marie LaVeau , who was born on September 10, 1794 and left this earth on June 16, 1881.  Shrouded in mystery, feared and admired, few facts about her life remain.  We know a few things.  Her home on St. Ann and Rampart streets in New Orleans still stands.  She worked tirelessly in service to the poor and the rich, sharing her knowledge and power of the Old Ways.  Old ways of Voodoo, Hoodoo, Conjure, Witchcraft.  All the terms apply.  She was a religious woman and of strong faith. 

I've been to her tomb; http://www.craftandconjure.com/blessed_marie_laveau  One cannot practice the Art of Conjure without feeling her presence in New Orleans.  I feel blessed to have paid homage to her tomb.  

Sometimes I imagine what it must have been like to meet her.  Did one knock on her door with a secret knock, when you needed her help?  What if you were lucky enough to study with her?  How many gris-gris bags would you have to make?  How many floors would you need to wash to gain her approval?

She speaks to my heart.  I look into her eyes and see power, knowledge and secrets.  It is known and documented she performed works for the Queen of England; Bivins, N.D.P.  Seems if one was in trouble, one knew where to go.

Lyle Saxon in the book, "Fabulous New Orleans" 1928, closes her chapter:

"In the Old St. Louis Cemetery on Basin Street is a neat brick tomb, with the following inscription: Famille Vve. Paris nee Laveau.  This is all that remains of the former greatness of the all powerful Voudou Queen".

How wonderful to prove him wrong!  Happy Birthday Marie LeVeau!