Sleep eluded me the night before Katrina hit. I couldn’t banish from my mind the image of the looming hurricane. Whenever I drifted asleep, I woke up in a panic. Come morning, I was relieved to find that New Orleans was spared the worst. That relief was short-lived.

I went to New Orleans with my family a few months after the storm. My heart was heavy while I surveyed the damage, but I did feel a sense of hope. I returned this year for my first Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Mardi Gras in other parts of Louisiana was nothing new to me. One plan was to catch the St. Anne’s parade. It was magical. I was so bummed to be jolted back into real life after the festivities were over the next day.

Some friends of mine have made plans to visit NOLA this Halloween. I’m envious!

I haven’t been back to N.O. after Katrina. But I did have the pleasure of spending plenty of quality time pre-flood! My friend Samantha and I were talking after she had returned from visiting N.O. (before the flood) She kinda predicted the flood, except she explained it more like an explosion. She said “that city is going to explode” I told her I thought the ghosts there were very restless. I always stayed at the Marquette House when visiting. They are little studio apartments with kitchenettes. The building was an old Cival War hospital…and sooo haunted. I got that feeling when I was there too, everything was haunted! My friend said she “heard” alot of weeping and moaning, and even screaming and rioting. I think there were too many people conjuring up spirits to make a profit. Cemetaries crowded with tourists…maybe the spirits were angry?I suppose the dead can actually rest in peace now that things have slowed down a bit there.

I noticed alot of spiritual abuse going on as well…the “Voodoo” community does alot of things adverse to tradition…so I think the Lwa/Loa were pissed off too.

Anyway, my dear, I have one of those blog award thingies for you on my blog…check it out!

love & magick,
xo Lavona