DEATH

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"Santa Muerte is a sacred figure venerated primarily in Mexico and the United States, probably asyncretism between Mesoamerican and Catholic beliefs. The name literally translates to "Holy Death" or "Saint Death". The origins of the Santa Muerte can be traced back to Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec lord of the underworld, and the Christian depictions of the Angel of Death. As a “saint of last resort” Santa Muerte always has had a following among those who live in extreme circumstances. The Santa Muerte cult could best be described as a set of ritual practices offered on behalf of a supernatural personification of death…she is comparable in theology to supernatural beings or archangels. While not a fully developed or official religion, Santa Muerte has self-proclaimed priests, temples and shrines, and many ritualized elements. Santa Muerte rituals vary, and worshipers disagree about some of the symbolism and the proper procedures to gain the spiritual and physical results petitioned. However, adherents generally consider Santa Muerte a jealous and vengeful “deity” who demands that her followers conduct the rituals and sacrifices properly to avoid her divine wrath. Candle magic, herbs, oils, amulets, spiritual energy, and various mystical items play an important role. Often, the colors and mixtures of items employed determine ceremonial intent and arrangement of the altar. Components of the rituals also hold importance. Candles help to focus worshiper concentration and act as a conduit so that Santa Muerte receives the prayers. Smoke blown, alcoholic drink spit out, and narcotics smeared on statues are thought to help activate them. The bases of candles and statues also may have items or artifacts embedded in them and may be anointed with oils and herbs to enhance their power. More extreme forms of worship involve bowls of blood—animal and human—at the altars and smeared on the religious icons and on the devotee as part of a blood pact. Within the private aspect of the cult, special altars are arranged in honor of Senor La Muerte. Specific totems and offerings are made to the altar, like roasted pork ribs, cigars, wine, and black/red candles are arranged in triangles around it. Everything that was presented must be ritually discarded after a few days by discarding them in a hollow of a tree or buried at a cemetery. Rites are also carried out at graves, where the dark currents are supposedly more effective. Such a form of imminent mortality facing adherents makes the worship of Santa Muerte spiritually dark. The death of someone’s enemies, protection from harm (or, at least, hope for a quick and glorious death), cultivation of a dangerous reputation, and ability to enjoy the benefits of fabulous riches—including the company of beautiful women—become paramount. With the stakes so high, the sacrifices and offerings to Santa Muerte have become primeval and barbaric. Rather than plates of food, beer, and tobacco, in some instances, the heads and bodies of victims (and presumably their souls) have served as offerings to invoke powerful petitions for intervention.

The Vatican has recently openly condemned the cult, calling it blasphemous. The cult has waged an actual war of violence against the Catholic Church and the Mexican government, not just an ideological one. However, for the past ten years or so, worship has become more public especially in Mexico City.Santa Muerte is referred to by a number of other names such as Señora de las Sombras ("Lady of the Shadows"), Señora Blanca ("White Lady"), Señora Negra ("Black Lady"), Niña Santa ("Holy Girl"), and La Flaca ("The Skinny One"). Sometimes the name is listed as Santa Sebastienne or St. Sebastienne, ("Our Beautiful Lady Sebastienne"), as St. Sebastian was an early Christian martyr and is, among other things, patron saint of a holy death.

Devotion to Santa Muerte is what anthropologists call a “cult of crisis.” Devotion to the image peaks during economic and social hardships, which tend to affect the lower classes more. Santa Muerte tends to attract those in extremely difficult or hopeless situations. Some of her most devoted followers are prostitutes, pickpockets, petty thieves and drug traffickers, associated with economic crimes often done out of desperation. The overwhelming majority of believers are poor people who are not necessarily criminals, but the public belief in her by several drug traffickers and small numbers of other petty criminals has indirectly associated her with crime, especially low-level organized crime. " (Mistertrece, 2014)


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