Syncretism is a Sacrament
Honoring the Life of Priestess Miriam
Sept 10, 1943 – August 16, 2026
Priestess Miriam Chamani, mambo and co-founder of the Voodoo Spiritual Temple on North Rampart Street, New Orleans, died on Sunday, August 16, after a brief illness. We send our condolences to her husband, the environmentalist Allen Villeneuve, her priest and drummer Louis Martinié, Mishlen Linden, and all of the members and devotees of the Voodoo Spiritual Temple.
Caroline’s guest be Louis Martinie’
her long-time drummer ally accomplice, co-author of The New Orleans Voodoo Tarot (with Sallie Ann Glassman)- to tell her story ……
Honoring her ally Dr John, the Orishas , Papa Legba….
Dr. Louie Martinié has been in service to the New Orleans Voodoo Spiritual Temple for 35 years. He is a drummer, elder, and spiritual doctor. His practice syncretizes Dzogchen Buddhism with New Orleans Voodoo. Blanc Dan-i is the Master of his Head. The Marassa and the Buddhas sing within his heart. His devotions are to the Drs. John Montanee and Dr. John (Mac), St. Roch, and Lama Lena.
He has received 3 grants from Xavier University in New Orleans to use drum rhythms to teach communication skills to persons with severe/profound handicaps. Louie has spent a year on sabbatical with Thubten Norbu, an elder brother to the 14th Dalai Lama, studying how Tibetans teach kindness to their children. He is an honorary member of the Louisiana State Legislature and a Democratic Socialist in the tradition of New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Louie is celebrating being the content editor for Black Moon Publishing for 50 Years. His writings include the text to the New Orleans Voodoo Tarot (Destiny Books), Priest’s Head / Drummer’s Hands (Black Moon), and Dr. John Montanee; A Grimoire (Black Moon).
He is bi-local due to climate change, spending part of the year in New Orleans and a part of the year in Cincinnati which is the largest city close to The Great Serpent Mound.
Voodoo Spiritual Temple https://voodoospiritualtemple.org/
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