St. John the Baptist holds a significant role in both Christianity and New Orleans Voudou and Hoodoo practices. In Christian tradition, he is a prominent prophet and the forerunner of Jesus Christ, known for baptizing people in the Jordan River, including Jesus himself. He is revered as a symbol of purification, spiritual renewal, and repentance.
In New Orleans, St. John the Baptist is celebrated each year. His celebrations coincide with those of Doctor John and Marie Laveau, who are traditionally celebrated on St. John's Eve and St. John's Day. His feast day on June 24th is one of the most celebrated in New Orleans Voudou. This day aligns with Midsummer and has strong ties to rituals involving water, cleansing, and renewal—practices deeply rooted in both Catholic and African spiritual traditions. Voudou practitioners often perform rituals by rivers or other bodies of water on St. John’s Eve, invoking the cleansing and healing powers associated with St. John and the waters he blessed.
In Hoodoo, St. John the Baptist is often invoked for spiritual cleansing, protection, and strength. His association with water makes him a powerful figure for purification rites, spiritual baths, and the removal of negative energies. The night before his feast day is also a time for special ceremonies and offerings, with many seeing it as an opportunity for spiritual renewal, much like his role in Christianity.
In New Orleans, St. John the Baptist is celebrated each year. His celebrations coincide with those of Doctor John and Marie Laveau, who are traditionally celebrated on St. John's Eve and St. John's Day. His feast day on June 24th is one of the most celebrated in New Orleans Voudou. This day aligns with Midsummer and has strong ties to rituals involving water, cleansing, and renewal—practices deeply rooted in both Catholic and African spiritual traditions. Voudou practitioners often perform rituals by rivers or other bodies of water on St. John’s Eve, invoking the cleansing and healing powers associated with St. John and the waters he blessed.
In Hoodoo, St. John the Baptist is often invoked for spiritual cleansing, protection, and strength. His association with water makes him a powerful figure for purification rites, spiritual baths, and the removal of negative energies. The night before his feast day is also a time for special ceremonies and offerings, with many seeing it as an opportunity for spiritual renewal, much like his role in Christianity.
There are a number of traditional Hoodoo workings that draw from St. John's energy. For example, to keep the law, bill collectors, landlord and enemies away from your door, make some St. John the Baptist Water. On St. John the Baptist Day, June 24th, collect some water from a river into a bottle while reciting the Lord’s prayer. If you are in the New Orleans area, get some water from Bayou St. John.
Lay the bottle on its side with the head of the bottle pointing out of the door. When the law, your landlord or any undesirable person comes, call out to St. John and Marie Laveau and ask them to help you keep the undesirables away. While doing that, take that bottle full of St. John the Baptist water and roll it with your foot to the front door. If they come to your door, when they leave roll the bottle with your foot back to its position with the mouth of the bottle pointing out the front door. This bottle of water is to be kept from year to year and never emptied out.
