Marie Laveau, "Voodoo Queen of New Orleans," b. 1801.

Top Five Ways She Had Her Mojo Workin'

1. She owned a giant snake named Zombi, who she used in certain mysterious ritual dances on the shores of Lake Ponchartrain. Nothing keeps tongues wagging like a lady dancing with a snake.

2. Put a legendary curse on the city of New Orleans: Anyone who visits is destined to return. (Magnetism in its most wily form.)

3. Good Hair = Good Fortune. By working as a hairdresser who made house calls, she knew everybody's business--and everybody's weakness. She made a fortune selling gris-gris.

4. Famous for her spells and hexes, she supposedly saved men from the gallows, mended thousands of broken hearts, healed the sick, and caused the death of a least one governor and lieutenant governor. The lady knew how to multi-task.

5. Over 100 years after her death, folks still flock to her grave in St Louis Cemetery No.1, where they scratch X's into the side of the tomb and leave offerings in the hopes that she'll grant their lovelorn wishes and lay a hex on their honey. (And yes, I'll admit it...I did it, too.)