#Voodoo Festival

[smeagles]

New Orleans 10.29.2006 | Mandi

[tyforthevnm]

My Chemical Romance at Voodoo Music Experience 2006 @ City Park, New Orleans, LA on October 29, 2006 | Mandi

[dashes-and-letters]

[sudden-stops-kill]

The Cure - Burn (Live Voodoo Festival 2013)

[dreamtigress]

Opening day shots with my Mijnheer looking fabulous in his armor and wings. As photographed by my Husbeast.

[dominik528]

Gerard Way performing "Brother" at the 2015 Voodoo Music Festival.

The emotions expressed in this song are palpable.

[hangelbel]

http://hangelbel.com/spookysearch/images/pic2.jpg

New Orleans, Louisiana – City of Voodoo: What to Expect for Halloween 2024

New Orleans is famous for its unique blend of history, mystery, and culture. Known as the “City of Voodoo,” this vibrant city comes alive during Halloween, offering some of the most thrilling and memorable events in the country. For Halloween 2024, New Orleans promises an unforgettable experience for thrill-seekers and culture enthusiasts alike.

The Mystique of Voodoo in New Orleans

The city’s association with Voodoo dates back to the early 18th century, when enslaved Africans brought their spiritual practices to Louisiana. New Orleans’ version of Voodoo has since evolved, becoming a blend of African traditions, Catholicism, and local folklore. Voodoo isn't just an esoteric practice here—it’s a cultural pillar deeply intertwined with the city’s music, cuisine, and festivities.

Marie Laveau, the legendary Voodoo Queen, still captivates the imagination of locals and tourists. Visitors can explore her legacy by visiting her tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 or participating in the Voodoo rituals and ceremonies that are part of New Orleans’ vibrant history.

Halloween 2024: What to Expect

New Orleans is one of the best cities in the U.S. to celebrate Halloween, thanks to its spooky atmosphere and unique celebrations. Halloween 2024 promises to be more thrilling than ever, with events that blend the city’s historic past with modern-day fun.

1. Krewe of Boo Parade

This annual Halloween parade is a massive street party filled with elaborate floats, live music, and costume contests. The Krewe of Boo Parade will take place in the French Quarter, and it’s a family-friendly event that showcases New Orleans' creative flair. Expect floats themed around local legends, spooky creatures, and, of course, Voodoo.

2. The Mortuary Haunted Mansion

If you're looking for a spine-chilling experience, visit The Mortuary Haunted Mansion. Set in a real mansion that once served as a funeral home, this attraction has a reputation for being one of the scariest haunted houses in the country. For Halloween 2024, the Mortuary Mansion will feature new terrifying scenes and actors, all designed to send shivers down your spine.

3. Voodoo Music + Arts Experience

While Halloween may be associated with scares, New Orleans celebrates with music as well. The Voodoo Music + Arts Experience, happening over Halloween weekend, brings together top artists from various genres for an epic festival. Fans of both music and art will enjoy the diverse lineup and immersive installations at City Park. Expect a mix of rock, indie, and electronic music, alongside large-scale art displays that add a mystical vibe to the festival.

4. Ghost and Vampire Tours

New Orleans is a city steeped in ghost stories and legends of vampires. Ghost tours around the French Quarter and Garden District will take you to haunted houses, old cemeteries, and eerie alleyways where spirits are said to linger. Vampire enthusiasts can take specialized tours that dive deep into the folklore of these blood-sucking creatures, believed to have been part of the city's dark past.

5. Voodoo Ceremonies and Rituals

For those looking to immerse themselves in the spiritual aspect of New Orleans, Voodoo ceremonies are held in various parts of the city during Halloween. Visit the Voodoo Museum or join local practitioners in St. Louis Cemetery, where you can witness authentic rituals honoring ancestors and invoking spirits.

Costumes and Culture

Halloween in New Orleans is more than just a night for kids to trick-or-treat. The entire city dresses up, and the streets are filled with people in costumes ranging from the terrifying to the artistic. Whether you're channeling Marie Laveau, dressing as a ghostly pirate, or going all out as a mythical creature, you'll fit right in.

Tips for Enjoying Halloween 2024 in New Orleans:

Book early: Hotels fill up fast, so be sure to book accommodations well in advance.

Bring your costume: Costume shops in New Orleans can help with last-minute ideas, but for the full experience, come prepared.

Stay safe: With the massive crowds, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially if you’re partying in the French Quarter late into the night.

Explore the city: Beyond Halloween events, New Orleans offers delicious food, iconic jazz clubs, and scenic river cruises.

For Halloween 2024, New Orleans will be the ultimate destination for those looking to combine history, mysticism, and pure fun. From the haunted streets of the French Quarter to the lively Krewe of Boo Parade, and from ghost tours to music festivals, the “City of Voodoo” promises a hauntingly good time.

Get ready to step into a world where the supernatural feels real and where Halloween is not just a night, but an entire season of enchantment.

[hazystars]

going to portland this weekend for a few days! anyone have any recommendations?

[gimmigezz]

[smeagles]

Voodoo Music Experience 2006 | Brad Edelman

[tyforthevnm]

My Chemical Romance at Voodoo Music Experience 2006 @ City Park, New Orleans, LA on October 29, 2006 | Mandi

[gabi-trollastic]

Hazbin Hotel series is really awesome, Vivziepop, her team and the wonderful actresses, actors and singers that voices the characters have done a wonderful job with it, can't wait for season 2 😊😁😍😈

[aggelos965]

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood -- Voodoo Chile (Blues Crossroads Guitar...

[writers-potion]

Let's Talk About Magic Systems.

There are two broad ways you can establish magic in your story world - work with existing concepts, or adapting it for something new.

Pick a System

High Magic vs. Low Magic

This distinction existes mostly in the western wrld from the Middle Ages onwards. In non-western cultures, this distinct often doesn't exist.

High magic requires magicians to study from books, ingredients are expensive and instruments elaborate and hard to get. The typical practioner of High Magic is of the upper class, highly educated, and rich. They serve in King's courts and have high social standing thanks to their knowledge.

Among the lower classes and women, Low Magic is ore common. It is taught orally and doesn't require reading skills and uses everyday objects and ingredients.

Black vs. White Magic

"White" magic is often associated with good, and "Black" with the evil. However, what really matters is the magicians intension, not the magic system that they work with.

The term "black magic" is often associated with working with the dead. It can also be used by an individual/group who just wants to appear more menacing.

Ceremonial Magic

This kind of magic involves lots of ritual, recitation and prayer, often in ancient langauges such as Latin, Aramaic and Sanskrit.

Most of the time, it's High Magic and practiced by religious figures.

The typical practioner is educated, has great confidence and a good memory.

Natural Magic

It involves ingredients from nature, such as herbs and water.

It may be practiced outdoor, in a kitchen, or in a laboratory.

The rituals are simple and short, and the practioner will watch out for the turning of seasons, phases of the moon, etc.

Religious Magic

This is a diety working through a magician. The magician prays and asks her god to work the miracle.

Most religions have their own form of magic, and the kind of miracles that the magicians can bring can be limited.

Wiccan Witchcraft and Voodoo are largely religious magic.

The typical practioner would be spiritual and devout, often suspicious of other religions.

Alchemy

Alchemy is both High and Low Magic, and it can incorporate religious, spiritual, philosophical and mythological elements.

In a modern setting, alchemy can also be portrayed as "science gone too far".

The typical practioner would be patient, methodious, educated and driven. The tools includes laboratory equipment, astronomical charts, writing materials, and an unsuspecting roommate(?) for testing.

Traditional Witchcraft

Traditional Witchcraft is a form of Low Magic. In early historic periods, the witch played an important role in village life, often old women who owned apothecaries and helped out other villagers.

The typical practioner would be female, uneducated, illiterate, practical, resourceful and poor. She will have a good memory and well-developed senses.

Tools used would be simple household implements - a cauldron, a broom, knife, etc. that can evade the Inquisitor's suspicions.

Wiccan Witchcraft

If you write contemporary fiction, this is the system your character is most likely to use. It's modern witchcraft, based on the religion of Wicca.

Wiccan witchcraft mostly developed in the second half of the twentieth centruy. It is a form of bothe Natural Magic and Religious Magic.

Based on nature worship and the polarity between male and female, the magician often begins a Wiccan ritual with an invocation to a God/Godess. The Lady (Godess) is depicted as having three aspects: Maiden, Mother and Brone. The Lord (God) may be depicted with horns.

The focus of Wiccan magic is often on healing, with an emphasis of ethical consequences of what is being performed.

It is often practiced outdoors, sometimes naked (which they call 'skyclad'). Wiccan witchcraft uses the phases of the moon to amplify its effects.

Wiccan like to gather in groups called 'covens' or to meet once a month or for major festivals. The coven leader may be called 'high piestess/priest'.

Typical tools include a chalice, a knife (called 'athame'), a wand, candles, herbs, crystals, and essential oils.

Necromancy

The magician summons a dead person, either ghost or spirit, sometimes bodily. The dead are enlisted to grant the magicians with favors or are questioned for information.

It may be related to Shamanism, as well as to some forms of psychic work such as channelling and Spiritualist seances.

The typical practitioner is psychally gisted, strong-willed and courageous.

Shamnism

Shamnism is a Low Magic system. The shaman intercedes between the human and spirit world by communicating with spirits, often to obtain information or provide healing.

Shamans may travel to the spirit world to seek answered, with some level of danger. They use drums, chanting, dancing and drugs to alter their consciousness and communicate with spirits.

Practicing shamans often work alone, but they choose a successor to train. The apprentice is supposed to accept the calling.

The typical shaman is musical, sensitive with a strong sense of rhythm and the psychic.

Tools include drums, bells, a costume, herbs, bones, smoke and mind-altering drugs.

Ancient Egyptian Magic

Ancient Eyptian Magic ovelaps with Religious magic, medicine and with psychic work. The deities most frequently evoked are Selket, Aset for raising the dead, and the gof Thoth for anything to do with sickness and healing.

The emphasis of Ancient Egyptian Magic is protection, often done throgugh an amulet or talisman. The circle or oval is the most important shape that has protective qualities.

The precise wording of a spell is important, as well as the colors that are involved. For magic to affect someone the magicians must know that person's true name.

The typical practitioner is male, literate, often a priest attached to a emple.

Folk Magic

This is a form of Low Magic practiced by amateurs.

This includes housekeepers who can keep the rats out, farmers who can ripen fruit before the height of the season, and scullions who can make water boil faster.

This people would only know a handful of spells, ans pass them in to memebers of their family.

Voodoo

Voodoo is religious magic and low magic.

The rituals are held in private, and may involve communication with spirits, especially the spirits of ancestors and saints.

Commonly used to cure aliments, confound enemies, and obtain desires.

Invent a System

Choosing the Right Words

If your character is clearly a witch, shaman, a necromancer, etc. with a specialty, use that term. Otherwise, the word "magician", or "mage" would be most appropriate.

The term "magus" (plural magi) refers to practitioners of the ancient Zoroastrian faith.

Strictly speaking, witches and wizards are practitioners of two very different magic systems, so your female character can be a wizard, and vice versa.

'Warlock' really means 'oath-breaker' or 'traitor' and doesn't describe a magician.

'Conjurer' is someone who can creae effects to impress an audience, not really magical in itself. The more modern temr would be 'illusionist'

A group of magicians may be called a 'coven' (though it applies mostly to Wiccan magic). A magician working alone would be a 'solitary'.

Magic vs. Magick

Normally, "magic" is the correct spelling.

However, "magick" may be used, especially by insiders, to emphasize that they refer to the real thing, not conjuring or other trick of the eye.

The magic systems are sometimes capitalized, sometimes not. When it involves a religion, nationaliy, or a particular family line, it is capitalized. Just make sure to keep it consistent throughout your book.

If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! 📸

[tyforthevnm]

[Posted October 30, 2015 / Photo taken October 28, 2011 at Voodoo Festival 2011]

[rageisinourveins]

PARAMORE | LAST HOPE Live at Voodoo Music Festival 2013