The Fascinating History of the AHS Voodoo Witch Coven

The American Horror Story (AHS) voodoo witch coven is a prominent storyline in the third season of the popular television show. The coven is an eclectic group of witches who follow the voodoo tradition, combining elements of African diaspora and New Orleans culture. They are led by Marie Laveau, the voodoo queen of New Orleans, portrayed by actress Angela Bassett. **One of the main themes explored in the voodoo witch coven storyline is the power struggle between Laveau and the coven led by Fiona Goode, played by Jessica Lange.** These two powerful women clash over territory, magic, and control, creating tensions that drive the narrative forward. Throughout the season, we see their individual motivations and desires unfold, leading to intense confrontations.

Protection Spell Breaking Ritual

The ritual also requires the seed of the man with whom the woman wants to conceive in a mason jar, put on the pyre where the hot guinea pepper was placed to warm. During the ritual, the priestess, surrounded by followers who play ritual instruments and chant, does a ritual dance while consuming a hot guinea pepper to attract the spirits then sacrifice a goat and spit its blood on the belly of the wannabe pregnant woman.

Throughout the season, we see their individual motivations and desires unfold, leading to intense confrontations. **Another crucial aspect of the voodoo witch coven storyline is the exploration of voodoo as a potent form of magic.** The show delves into the rich history and cultural significance of voodoo, showcasing rituals and spells that highlight its mystical nature.

Is There Justice for Marie Laveau?

Last night’s finale of American Horror Story: Coven left us with a lot of questions. What happened to the rest of that massive witch hunting organization? Are witches really “born that way”? Was Myrtle’s death-cry of “Balenciaga!” about more than just clothes? But here’s the mystery that’s bugging me most today: Where was Marie Laveau? Yes, she had already died in the previous episode, but so had Fiona (allegedly). In this season, death really didn’t mean anything, especially if we hadn’t seen the body, so many thought Marie would come back for her last hurrah—some final resolution to her reign as Voodoo Queen of New Orleans for the past 200 years.

A lot of viewers were especially excited to see Angela Bassett on the small screen portraying the same character week after week. There were also those of us who enjoyed watching a powerful black female figure taking control of her destiny and righting the wrongs around her. It was a shock to learn of her death, but the double-disappointment of her not only dying but being forced to spend eternity in Hell with the most detestable character in the series was almost too much. How could Ryan Murphy and his team do this to her? Did she really deserve that kind of fate? Marie Laveau spent 200 years protecting her community providing a safe haven for other black women with special abilities, and the show put her in Hell with her tormentor?

We got Marie’s story in fragments, but by the end of the series, we have a pretty good idea of her life’s trajectory. She was young, beautiful, and powerful; when she wished for eternal life, Papa Legba happily provided in exchange for her soul. In actuality, her immortality was more of a loan–she could keep it as long as she did an initially unspecified “task” for Papa Legba once a year. If she couldn’t pay, he’d cash in that soul and drag her to the Underworld.

Deals with the devil are ill-advised, but from what we saw, Marie used her immortality to do a lot of good. She buried Madame LaLaurie in a box for eternity as punishment for her crimes against Black people, and she raised the dead to punish the white men who lynched a black child in the 1960s. Marie strikes me as the type of character who probably did that sort of thing repeatedly; the flashback only served as one example. Additionally, she offered a haven. When she extended the hands of safety and hospitality to Queenie, I had no doubt she had done it before to countless black women over the past two centuries.

On the other side of the coin, Marie’s body count of innocent victims can’t be ignored. She hanged Madame LaLaurie’s entire family and put them on display as revenge. The Minotaur she sent to kill Madame was ultimately intercepted by Queenie who would have died had Fiona not shown up save her. The army of undead she sent to the Academy attacked indiscriminately, killing bystanders and nearly killing Luke. She gave up her own baby to Papa Legba and we have no idea how many other infants she had to offer as payment. She helped kill Nan to cover up her baby theft. She sent a witch hunter to destroy the coven even though she’d signed a truce with the previous Supreme, and Fiona, the current Supreme, had done nothing to provoke her.

For all the cheering we did behind Marie Laveau as a powerful black female leader, it’s impossible to turn a blind eye to the kind of person she really was. I’m sure being 200 years old, watching everyone you ever meet end up dead, having to snatch babies, and living with the memory of your tortured lost love might have a little something to do with how she conducts her business, but it doesn’t outright excuse her behavior. Can we honestly say her story should have had a happy ending considering the number of lives she ended, destroyed, or tried to? Is Marie as bad as Madame LaLaurie? Of course not. But should her character have been redeemed? In the end, I just don’t think it’s possible. Despite all the good she did in her life, her sins, on balance, should make us stop just shy of feeling sympathy. After all, when you’re dealing with Papa Legba, redemption just isn’t part of the agreement. This post originally appeared in an extended form on Rafi D’Angelo’s blog, So Let’s Talk About… Read more of him there, and follow him on Twitter @RafiDAngelo.

This is a far cry from the Black witches whose narratives are built around protecting white leads. Black witch portrayals prior to and after Bassett’s award-nominated take on Marie Laveau seldom do this. Witches like Bonnie Bennett (and her grandmother) from The Vampire Diaries consistently showcase their increasingly powerful abilities. Still, they lose everything to protect mostly white protagonists.

Through their practices, the witches gain various powers and abilities, adding intrigue and excitement to the storyline. **The show also examines the complex relationships within the coven, showcasing the bonds and betrayals that arise.** The characters in the voodoo witch coven have different backgrounds, personalities, and motivations, which often clash and create conflict. The intricate dynamics between each member of the coven add depth and layers to the narrative, keeping viewers engaged and invested. **Furthermore, the voodoo witch coven storyline serves as a platform for exploring themes of race, identity, and power dynamics.** By highlighting the voodoo tradition and its practitioners, the show sheds light on the African diaspora and the resilience of its cultural practices. It also explores the intersectionality of race and witchcraft, illustrating how power dynamics can influence relationships and interactions. **In conclusion, the AHS voodoo witch coven storyline in the show's third season is a compelling and thought-provoking narrative.** It delves into the power struggle between two dominant figures, showcases the potency of voodoo magic, explores complex relationships within the coven, and examines themes of race, identity, and power dynamics. Through its captivating storyline and well-developed characters, the voodoo witch coven adds depth and complexity to the overall narrative of American Horror Story..

Reviews for "Exploring the Origins of the AHS Voodoo Witch Coven"

1. Nancy - 2 stars - As a long-time fan of American Horror Story, I was excited for the season featuring a voodoo witch coven. However, I found the storyline to be convoluted and confusing. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. The constant back-and-forth between the present and the past made it difficult to follow the plot, and the whole season felt disjointed. Overall, I was disappointed with the execution of the voodoo witch coven theme in this season.

2. Mark - 1 star - I have been a loyal viewer of American Horror Story, but the voodoo witch coven season was a huge letdown for me. The plot seemed forced and rushed, and the characters were one-dimensional. The show attempted to tackle important themes such as race and social injustice but failed to do so effectively. The pacing was off, and the whole season felt like a missed opportunity. I found myself disengaged and uninterested, wishing for the season to be over. This was definitely one of the weakest seasons of American Horror Story in my opinion.

3. Emily - 2 stars - The voodoo witch coven season of American Horror Story fell flat for me. The depiction of voodoo and witchcraft felt inaccurate and disrespectful to these traditions. The characters lacked depth and their actions often felt forced and inconsistent. The season had some promising ideas, but they were poorly executed. Overall, it was a disappointing season that failed to capture the magic and intrigue that American Horror Story is known for. I hope future seasons can return to the quality we have come to expect from the show.

The Intriguing Characters of the AHS Voodoo Witch Coven