I agree with the person who said that the people accusing her of babbling were not understanding the point. I also think it's likely that she chooses who she wants to read based on their energy. I came in around 4:30 without an appointment. I first talked to her husband Allen at the front desk. She was on the phone with a client and he said I could ask her when she was done if she could do a reading for me. It was $200/hr but I heard wonderful things about her from locals in the community and thought it was worth it for an authentic experience. She did not disappoint. When she came out at first she talked to Allen for a few minutes as if I was not there. I patiently waited and looked around. Not long after she welcomed me back. She started just by talking generally. I could tell this whole time she was sizing me up. I was open, respectful and patiently listened, but didn't give out anything about myself. After about 15 minutes she started the reading. I could tell her demeanor changed in what seemed to me like she was at times being talked through, channeling in different connections. This was not the rambling of an incoherent person or on drugs, as some ignorant, insulting reviews said. I observed her in typical conversation and while channeling spirit and you can see the difference. Yes, it did sound like rambling at times, but everything was highly connected to situations in my life. Also, what person in their 80s isn't going to go on a tangent here and there?! Be respectful, as if you are talking with your own grandmother. At times, she would come slightly out of the channeling and give practical, kind advice, based on what came through... or at least that is how I experienced it. I felt I could tell the difference in her mannerisms when channeling vs conversations. This went back and forth, reading, channeling, guiding, for 2 hours. We both lost track of time and since I asked for an hour she did not give me a set price and only said to pay what I felt was fair. I respected that incredibly. Not everything she said was polite or great news, but everything was incredibly real and relevant. News flash: life isn't always polite, good news. At times we laughed together. At times I cried and I felt empathy from her. I felt a genuine connection and looking in her eyes saw a pure soul. Although it was far from what I expected or experienced in any other type of reading, it was a beautiful experience that I'm grateful for. We ended after 7pm when Allen came to get her for dinner. I asked to take a picture with her at the end and she allowed me to. I felt truly privileged to experience her gift. I'll never forget some of her most practical advice... it's not all about me. :) Thank you, Mambo Miriam. read more

Voodoo Spiritual Temple - Religious Organizations Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Not sure of anything, The phone call when I tried to get an appointment (short notice tho,as was my trip) but since I had an unplanned 2 day stay in Nola and really wanted to get a spiritual reading. I never get to New Orleans on a planned trip. When I got someone on phone, I was kinda harshly, I should have got appointment weeks ahead, I explained why I has not but was treated like a was more of a irritation to ask for that so I just never had someone act that way. So... I took that as a divine sign they are not my place to be or use. Would I recommend? probably not, being the way I was spoken too, i wouldn't want to recommend and they get spoken to in a rude way. But to each its own. read more

My experience with Priestess Miriam has been nothing but heartwarming. And needed. She provided me with guidance and a plan. She also knew what she was talking about in respect to things I did not tell her. After our conversation, I now look to her as my spiritual guide, and I wish her all the great things life has to offer. I plan to reach out to her again soon and am so happy I made the decision to call her. She is a kindred spirit and maternal yet objective. I highly recommend reaching out to her. read more

The priestess is the most kind and genuine person. She helpful and so reassuring. She cares!!! Amazing!!!!!!!!

Interesting place in residential neighborhood but badly managed. Board said OPEN but it was closed. Waited for some 10-15 mins but no one opened. Wasted time visiting here. read more

Voodoo Spiritual Temple - Religious Organizations Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Oh yes the other reviews are correct she is a hoot lol; if you're looking for a very scripted traditional tour type thing that you might book online do not go here if you want a hoot of an experience with a super fun lady stop in for 20/25 minutes and you'll enjoy yourself! Had a more authentic vibe than some of the voodoo places in the French quarter read more

What a great personal experience with a very sweet lady.. priestess Miriam is truly authentic. I worked with her husband at my previous company. #PositiveVibes #Africanvoodoo #NOLA #AtPeace read more

The negative reviews are from entitled people outside of the culture and community. They expect her to be open during business hours not realizing this is not a regular business. These people come in demanding healing from her. They don't bring any offerings. They don't ask if she feels ready or if she's in the space to do work. I'm happy Priestess Miriam has firm boundaries and upholds them. read more

4 days agoNEW Priestess Miriam is off her rockers. If you ask her questions, you will be on the receiving end of insults and disjointed comments that have nothing to do with what was asked. Not worth the walk if your staying in the busy center of the French Quarter. Better off going to Voodoo Authentica on Dumaine St. At least you're greeted when you walk in. read more

Wait. What?! Open minds and open hearts? Not OUR experience. Not only did 'priestess 'Miriam belittle and insult me and my husband- she also insulted ( in one of her rambling rants) the sweet gal who works for her! We came in honestly looking to learn. One of her first comments was about us not knowing about people in prison... ok. True. But then, Ms. Miriam, You ALSO have no idea the path we have walked with a son with many disabilities How DARE she. Just another 'religion' with all its judgements. So disappointing. read more

Voodoo Spiritual Temple - Religious Organizations Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Never have I felt so unwelcome to spend my money in a shop. Sign on the door said open but the man at the desk completely ignored us. After several minutes, a lady I assume was Miriam walked from the back room and asked if she could help us. Then she rambled, incoherently at times, telling us voodoo was politics. My husband walked out. My son and I tried to tough it out a while longer while my daughter-in-law browsed. It was altogether a weird, uncomfortable experience and we left without buying anything. Instead of providing education and being welcoming, it made me lose all interest in anything voodoo related. read more

Priestess Miriam is AWESOME, to say the least. Firstly, what people need to understand is that Priestess Miriam is led by the spirit, so what comes up comes out. This is something not understood by many. What to many may FEEL like rambling, is in fact her dialing in. If you LISTEN and PAY ATTENTION, you will get what you need from her gleanings as they come forth. Priestess Miriam imparted SO MUCH WISDOM to me on that day that I had to take notes; notes of which I still defer to. She told me EXACTLY what I do for a living (at that time) and that I should be expecting a letter with good news. At the time I had no clue what she was as talking about (although I believed her). A few weeks later I was offered a new job paying me $10,000 more on the spot! As far as the critics go, you all are looking for this warm, fuzzy, commercial experience that is suitable to your expectations.... sorry, that ain't the way this works. IF she let you have it, well... maybe something in you just ain't right! I love this lady! God bless her ministry. Her words of truth and wisdom resonate with me to this day. "You have been initiated into a service of which YOU will give meaning to... not the other way around." - Priestess Miriam. read more

We got some incense, There's a real voodoo queen. She does weddings and other ceremonies. I'd suggest coming here to buy voodoo related things. read more

This was THE best part of New Orleans, my most memorable and enjoyable experience. My exchange with Miriam was priceless. I am grateful to her in words that cannot express. Do not be discouraged by the words or reviews by others on here, they are still dealing with their own set of situations which led them to judge this sacred space. I won't disclose what occurred because what I experienced was sacred in every being of it. I came for nothing and received everything. I will be back to give her the biggest hug EVER. If you come looking for healing... this is the real deal... no quick fixes. So come prepared to get what you need. read more

Skip a reading with "Voodoo Priestess" Mariam. You'd be better off throwing the cash you'd spend on it directly into the street. I had an hour long reading with her and literally every single specific comment she said was wildly inaccurate. - Your parents are happily married (ney, divorced). When I told her they were divorced, she said my dad left the year I was born (nope, my parents split when I was in college) - She said I intensely dislike children and do not want to have any (I love children and have always known that I wanted kids) - She said I was hoping to move back to DC soon and working hard to make that happen (I'm a New Orleanian for the rest of my life, I hope) - She said my mom was intensely involved with government work (nuh uh, she's retired but was in healthcare before that) As others have said, she spends a LOT of time rambling incoherently about nothing. Unfortunately, the reading wasn't even entertaining despite its inaccuracy. It was just irritating and a waste of time. I was hoping for at least a fun experience, if not insight or revelation. read more

I went on a tour of the city with about 25 other individuals, which included a visit to the "Voodoo Spiritual Temple" and an introduction to Priestess Miriam (PM). I spent about 20 minutes there, which included a meeting with PM. The front room of the establishment included a small shop. We were led through a hallway/makeshift office, where I saw Priestess Miriam sitting at a computer surfing the internet, to an interior courtyard. After a few minutes Priestess Miriam came out and rambled incomprehensibly for about 10 minutes. When I say incomprehensibly, I mean that the words that came out were English words, but strung together in a random manner such that few sentences included a subject, verb, and noun... it was like watching someone who was tripping on drugs (hmmm....) with verbal diarrhea. After about 10 minutes of doing this outside. Our guide, observing our smirks and silent disbelieving stares, interrupted the "Miriam Noise" and directed her to take us inside. We were led to a room, shown in one of the pictures associated with someone's review, where the "Miriam Noise" resumed. After about 2 minutes, I switched on the recording feature of my iphone and captured about 4 minutes of it for future entertainment. (If possible, I will add a recording to this review/site.) Thankfully, I had positioned myself towards the rear of the room. I exited and joined the guide in the courtyard; she was counting money from an envelope, later given to PM. When she noted my presence, I sat down and said, "all the incense was giving me a headache." I sat quietly for another 5 minutes until the group filed out of the room, into the courtyard, and back out through the hallway, exiting the building. I give the establishment 2 stars because it was entertaining. (Similar to chancing upon a drug addict or drunk rant on a sidewalk... sad, but like a train wreck, hard to look away.) Zero stars for "spook factor" or "spiritual" experience. read more

We came as part if a tour group, and I was really looking forward to seeing the temple, and learning about voodoo. We met priestess Miriam, who led us into the alter room, and proceeded to jabber about nothing in particular. She didn't really teach us anything about voodoo, answer any questions, or even make any sense. Just when I thought I understood what she was getting at, she'd make go off on an odd tangent that didn't have anything to do with voodoo or what it was. Some in our group swore she was high, I'm not sure. But I came to learn, and left even more confused than when I got there. read more

As a patron of this temple ( I have been coming here for years, whenever I am in N'olans) I find the meditation altar room calming and soothing, as well as the priestess Miriam knowledgeable, and very in touch with the spirit world. I always do some stocking up in the gift shop,as well. Not too far from the famous tomb of Marie Laveau, you should make this a part of your trip to the big easy.. read more

Established by Priestess Miriam who does readings, rituals, healing, etc. Groups of people gather in the courtyard (usually tour groups but anyone can join) and she gives a short message. Even though admission to the temple is free, donations are accepted. Then she lets you enter the altar and take pictures if you want. There's also a small shop in the front. read more

She's a thief I paid for some items off of her website and never received them. Also after multiple attempts and emails she basically was stalling and stole from me read more

I visited Priestess Miriam on September 7th, she was gracious and invited us in her shop. We talked a while and then we went to visit the alter... very cool.. Miriam is a nice older gal who is a talker, but that's what we came for. I asked her more about her life than she of me. While she did mention young people I didn't gather any negativity. Seems a lot of people get butt hurt so easily now....Take me back to 1974... I bought a T-shirt and a couple of sachets. A cool place worth a visit. read more

I've never felt so insulted in my life! My husband and I were very much looking forward to getting a reading done by Miriam, the voodoo priestess, who we heard great things about. As soon as we walked in, the priestess and her husband were extremely rude and uninviting! What a complete waste of our time! If you want to pay $150 to listen to a bumbling fool, by all means go for it. read more

I had a very nice experience here. I enjoyed visiting the Temple. It has a very nice energy. I loved looking at the alter. It is basically an entire room. It contains artifacts from what looks like all the religions. Of course, when I say *all, I'm being facetious. But, what one thing I like about voodoo is the way that it is inclusive and welcoming- a pinch of this, a bit of that. A potpourri of practices. Some catholic saints, and recitations of Psalms, a statue of buddah, Hinduism, African deities and ancestors all on the alter. Anyway, I wanted to address an issue I was having and my spirit directed me to purchase things I needed from here. I can report today, that a book I got here was very helpful, and my problem is solved. I have also shared knowledge I got from here with other people, and I hope it has helped them too. Miriam was very kind to us. read more

She talked to our group for about an hour but was initially reluctant to give us a reading. Perhaps our request to do one without an appointment insulted her. Not certain. However she dragged on the conversation for a while asking about who we are, what we did, where we came from etc. Ultimately she offered a reading but we didn't feel that welcomed / interested anymore. She seemed nice, but we might have off put her initially. Or perhaps she simply wasn't interested. Not certain, but wish others better luck than we had. read more

Truly disappointed in our experience. We drove a long way to visit her and my boyfriend was so excited to meet her. She was rude from the start but later on during the visit her mood shifted and she was much more friendly. We wanted a reading and the price we paid for it just wasn't worth it honestly. She rambled most of the time and cut us short because more people showed up. When we left we still did not have the answers we came to seek. Definitely a big disappointment. Check it out for yourself. read more

almost real, almost ethereal; never ever empty feel-- and yet (you? we?) can't wait to get, to get away in b'tween squeaking iron gates the faint scent of chickens do do tell. read more

Very interesting place, you could feel the sense of spirituality in the shop , talked with the priestess for a while , she was very calming and down to earth. This was the first time I was in her shop, and it's right across the street from the old Congo square, which is Louis Armstrong park. Worth the trip to the end of the quarter. I would come back again. read more

We arrived at the same time as some sort of student group, who seemed to have been expected, so we didn't get a chance to talk to Priestess Miriam, aside from what we overheard from the conversation with the students. What I did hear seemed wise and thoughtful, though my friend came away with the impression that Miriam was a fake. We only visited the shop (aka the "Cultural Center") and it was nice, albeit small. Most things seemed to be handmade or, if they weren't, they at least looked like they belonged in a spiritual temple instead of a tourist trap. The prices were much better than I expected, too. I regret not being able to stay longer, or speak with Priestess Miriam, but I left with a positive feeling about the place, despite my friend's skepticism. (And I'm usually the skeptic!) read more

I'm giving one star for my experience from my viewpoint. I have read others reviews, but still decided to have a reading due to everyone's experience is different. The reading was completely off with a lot disturbances, incoherent rambling, off subject talking to the point where I just wanted it to be over from being irritated. She keep talking about "young people" and her views on them and also kept talking about one subject repeatedly over and over even after I had expressed she was inaccurate. I have had readings before from others, so its a level of professionalism and connection that was lacking in this reading. It was a cold reading, in my opinion. I will say from the other reviews that I read that they were correct in some ways. I didn't however experience the rudeness of others directly, the unprofessionalism was due to time management and the reading experience (the flow of the reading, disturbances, off subject, ramblings). In the end it was an experience to look back upon. I'm not going to tell a person to go or not go, because a person has to make that decision for themselves. My advice would be to trust your intuition and go from there. Every reader is not for every client. read more

My family and I were very excited to go here and meet Priestess Miriam. We had gone to the temple an hour before they opened, and even went to lunch and came back so that we could meet her. When we entered I said I was interested in getting a spiritual healing from her, which is listed on the website as being offered. To this she laughed, saying oh, you just walk in and say you want a healing? Basically was completely dismissive. We were all respectful. It wasn't like we went in with any kind of attitude. She did take us into her back room, but, although we had been interested in readings, she seemed to have no inclination whatsoever of doing any. She is a lovely lady, but why advertise readings and healings if you have no intention of doing them? We really went far out of our way on foot to go there. We are here on vacation. I wouldn't waste your time, unless you happen to just be passing by. It was very disappointing. read more

Walked in and the guy working the counter was extremely rude. I would ask him questions regarding Miriam and the temple, and he gave very snarky and snide responses. We felt extremely unwelcome. I guess you have to be apart of those tour groups in order to get good service. read more

I love this place. I visited several times when I was doing some research on Haitian and New Orleans Vodou(s), and had a reading with Priestess Miriam, who was delightful. Norma, who runs the shop at the front of the Temple, hand makes the dolls they sell in the Temple -- and they are beautiful!! It's a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and part of its existence, besides functioning as a Temple, is to educate people on the religious and cultural aspects of Vodou. New Orleans Historic Tours sometimes brings groups of tourists here, on their Cemetery and Voodoo Tour. Priestess Miriam will meet the group(s) in the courtyard out back and will sit and talk with them, answering questions. The atmosphere of the Temple is very calm -- I'd even say soothing -- and everyone is usually all smiles. Definitely worth your while to stop by! read more

At the end of a long cemetery tour were asked if we wanted to visit VooDoo Temple -Priestess Mariam, thinking this might be the highlight we went- most awkward thing ever, 30 mins of rambling about what ?we were not sure, she never made sense. Don't know what else to say, still can't make sense of her rambling - waste of 30 mins. In one work - Awkward!!! read more

Expletives and Tirades Came here a few years ago. Like others have said she rambles quite a bit. I had a reading and after it was done I found myself confused as to what exactly she had told me. But it was ok because it was a new experience. So I made an appt for a reading today at 1 pm. I show up and she's on the phone informing someone she has people waiting for her. There is a young girl patiently waiting by the counter. Miriam turns to her and comments how young people think everything is about them, how the whole world is about them with their sad eyes. She goes on to announce that she is not kidding, that the girl is running around like an "orangutang". All the while using expletives (sh*t) to make her point. She then says the girl needs to get out of her face because she is tired of looking at her and she needs to go pray. Whew. So I'm waiting patiently. She asks me what I need. I tell her I have an appt for a reading and that I'm a few minutes late. She tells me I don't have an apt because no one told her about it. I tell her a guy told me he had written down in her book she checks. I'm there. She begins a brief tirade about how she is 71 years old, has two children and one is in his 50's. She going into her 25th year in New Orleans, she worked all kinds of jobs... She tells me she had a busy weekend with weddings etc, motions to a table in the back with work she has to do and how she has had a busy weekend. She throws around the f-word apologizes looks me in the eyes and says she just wants someone to listen to her. Needless to say I did not receive a reading. Not sure what the deal was but I won't be returning. She needs to take care of herself it seems. I hope she does. read more

You guys do know that one of the worst murders in New Orleans occurred upstairs at this address. Look it up....Zach Bowen & Addie Hall.

I went into the temple with high hopes and expectations. The front where items are sold was nice and Priestess Miriam's assistant was lovely, and super. She showed us the temple in the back, allowed us to leave an offering, and even gave us a moment alone there to admire it and meditate. When I saw a sign about readings, I went to Priestess Miriam and asked if she would be available to do a reading before I left town in 4 more days. She asked me where I'm from, what I did, and how old I am and when I told her I'm a twenty year old student from California, it seemed like she wanted nothing more to do with me. She made many remarks about my age, asking me why I needed a reading when I haven't been through anything, laughed at me, and later talked about how some of us young folks (I'm assuming she meant me) don't know what it feels like to work for money, be ill, or struggle for anything. In actuality, I have had to work two jobs to get through school, I grew up in a very physically abusive household, I've had a life-threatening condition which required two emergency procedures, and I have been homeless and had to sleep in my car many times but none of that mattered because all she saw was a young, entitled California girl. She also made references about how I am too distanced from my African culture (probably because I am an African American girl who came in with my white boyfriend). She was very rude to me which made me almost cry because I just escaped from my abusive household a year ago and came to her for genuine help and guidance. All I got was talked down to and belittled. I give the temple two stars because it was beautiful and the assistant was amazing, but I will not be back anytime soon. read more