Denise M. Alvarado

Denise M. Alvarado is the author of more than 20 books on folk magic traditions of the American South and a member of the American Anthropological Association. She has consulted with Scotland Yard, the History Channel, and multiple production companies on Voodoo and Southern folk magic.

Articles & Books From Denise M. Alvarado

Voodoo For Dummies
An approachable and accurate guide to Voodoo. Ready to connect with the unseen world, the angels, and the spirits of those who have passed? Voodoo For Dummies is a fascinating and easy-to-follow guide to Voodoo (also known as Vodou), a celebrated system of beliefs practiced widely around the world. This book explains the history of this tradition, one that has been passed down orally through the generations, as well as the Iwa (spirits), myste (mysteries), anvizib (the invisibles), zanj (angels), and the spirits of those who have passed away and how they’re interconnected.
Explore Book
Cheat Sheet / Updated 06-24-2026
New Orleans Voudou is a living spiritual tradition shaped by African, Caribbean, Catholic, and local Indigenous influences. At its center is a working relationship between human beings, the ancestors, and the divine forces that move through everyday life. Instead of approaching a distant creator directly, practitioners traditionally engage spiritual intermediaries, who govern specific aspects of nature, fate, justice, healing, love, and survival.