The
Order of the White Moon Goddess Gallery Presents
Nuestra Señora
de la Santísima Muerte - Our Lady of the Holy Death
By Jess Avelino Flores
A Level II Final Project for
Moonflower Ministry
© 12/5/2024 All original material in this site is under copyright
protection and is the intellectual property of the author.
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History
The veneration of Santa
Muerte dates back before the conquest, to the Aztec
Goddess Mictecacihuatl, the
“Lady of the Dead”. She is also known as “La Flaquita”
(the skinny), “La Huesuda” (the bony one), or “La
Niña Blanca” (the white girl). In Western culture, we would liken her to
the grim reaper. However, in MesoAmerican mythology,
she is the one who makes sure that no one crosses to the land of the dead
alone.
Famous for her guadaña (scythe), manta (hood), and globe, she can be
mistaken for the Grim Reaper. However, she is the only female death folk
“saint”, a term used loosely, since the Catholic Church considers worship of
her to be sacrilegious.
Santa Muerte’s popularity
has spread over to entertainment as well. She has become famous in Mexican
music, including mentions by up and coming songwriter Neton Vega, rapper Tornillo, and there are numerous
corridos about her, ballads which often talk about illegal activity or crimes.
She has appeared in various TV shows, such as Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, in which she is a main character,
and Breaking Bad. I recently read
about her as a patron saint of a transgender boy in the book Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas.
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Feast
day
I have seen Santa Muerte celebrated various dates. The most famous is November 1st,
the Day of the Dead. The devotion bean in 1795:
"La novena de noviembre es la que hacemos para celebrar el cumpleaños de la Santa Muerte.
Aunque la muerte ha estado con nosotros desde siempre, fue en 1975 cuando
los indígenas comenzaron a rendirle culto a través de la imagen de un
esqueleto, haciendo
ofrendas en su honor”
(Rodriguez). However, in Michoacán she is celebrated
the 15th of August, and in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, on
the 13th of December (Escobar). There is also a celebration held in Tepito on
December 13th, which is also the day that the capilla
there was opened by the dueña, Enriqueta Romero, more
than 20 years ago (Herranz). I also have a friend from Colima who celebrates on
this day.
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Devotees
My introduction to Santa
Muerte came with an LA Times article around 2010, which referred to her as a
cult that was popular among those with HIV, gang bangers, and prostitutes. Of
course, I immediately wanted to know more. Once I did more research, I learned
that She is known as the
patron saint of the disenfranchised, los rechazados, the rejected. Often worshiped by LGBTQ people,
and prostitutes, She is also petitioned for help
recovering from drug addiction. She is a Mother to
those who have been orphaned by society, those who don’t fit in anywhere, and
have nowhere else to turn.
What I have come to see about folk saints such as Santa Muerte, is that the devotion to them is some of the most
fervent and loyal displays I have witnessed. While organized religion may be
simply a cultural custom, and going through the motions, praying to a folk
saint is an act of last resort. The devotee may not
receive what they ask for, but the most important thing is their faith, which
motivates them to keep going (Rogue Art Historian).
I have been fortunate
enough to study with Maestro Alejandro Rodriguez, who resides in the state of
Coahuila, Mexico, and I am hoping to be able to go in person in 2025. We have a
Whatsapp group that does
live calls, and he makes PDFs for us to study. I am incredibly thankful that
technology exists that allows me to be able to study something so traditional
from a regional expert.
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Offerings
The first and most
important part of an altar would be a statue or image of Santa Muerte herself
(Martucci). Some people choose to use skeleton decorations from Day of the
Dead, such as the famous La Catrina of Jose Guadalupe Posada, who first
appeared on the colorful papel picado (cut paper) in
1910. Interestingly enough, this powerful image
appeared at the beginning of the Mexican Revolution, Posada’s way of reminding
everyone that death was the great equalizer.
The second most important
part of the altar is a glass of water. This is changed daily, and may either be
drunk, given to plants, or pets, but never wasted. Some people also include a
shot of alcohol (Martucci).
A candle is lit daily, or
for each petition. Each color represents a different petition. For example,
blue is for health, red is for love, and green is for money.
Some people also burn
incense during their devotions. I tend to use traditional Mexican incense
resins such as Copal and Palo Santo. I have also seen cigarettes, tobacco, and
marijuana.
Red apples, red roses, and
in the month of October, Cempasuchil (Marigolds).
Some people also offer perfume, bread, and jewelry. It is important that the
items are removed once they begin to wilt.
Some people believe that
she should have an altar all to herself. I personally have her on her own repisa, or shelf. However, I have also seen her shown
alongside San Judas Tadeo, the patron saint of lost causes, and Jesus Malverde, the Santo Patron of herbal medicine and the city
of Culiacán, and, according to some people, narcotraficantes.
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Prayers
Some people choose to ask
for permission from the Christian God to petition Santa Muerte. I do not
personally feel this is necessary, and do not use elements of JudeoChristian religion in my adoration and veneration of
her.
Some people talk to Mamá
Muerte as a sacred figure, some talk to her as if she were their best friend
and most trusted confidant. I tend to fall into the second category, because I
feel that prayers from the heart in time of need are most
powerful, rather than rote recitation of overused words.
I personally share coffee
and breakfast with her on my days off. This would be an example of including
her in daily activities. I try to do this on a Sunday, the day assigned to thanking her. Maestro Rodriguez has emphasized the need to
speak positive things into existence, such as today I am going to work to pay
my bills for the month and provide for my family. She does not do well with
being ordered to do something, or only spoken to when we need something.
However, she is always open to genuine cries for help and heartfelt petitions
(Rodriguez).
●
Special
prayers to Her
“Santa Muerte, presencia
sagrada que guía mi camino,
en este día te abro las puertas
de mi hogar y mi corazón
para dar la más cálida bienvenida a esta nueva
figura que ahora se une a este altar que te honra. Con profundo respeto y amor, te invito a bendecir este espacio con tu sabiduría y protección. Que esta figura que ahora se alza ante ti represente
más que una imagen, sea un vínculo entre tus enseñanzas y mi devoción. Que su presencia sea un recordatorio constante de tu guía y protección
en mi vida diaria. Que tu luz ilumine cada rincón
de este lugar, infundiendo cada aspecto de mi existencia con tu fuerza y sabiduría.
Que cada día que pase, esta imagen sea testigo de mi compromiso contigo, de mi búsqueda de comprensión y crecimiento espiritual. Te agradezco por
la bendición de tu presencia en mi vida y por permitirme
honrarte con esta nueva adición a mi altar. Con humildad y gratitud, te doy la bienvenida
y te pido que sigas guiándome por el camino
de la bondad, la protección
y la sabiduría. Gracias, Santa Muerte, por tu amorosa presencia."
(Rodriguez)
●
Each
day of the week has a specific intention for prayers
EL DOMINGO- es dia
de agradecimiento, en este dia no se le molesta para nada a la santa muerte ya que como
su dia lo dice solo debemos agradecer por los favores
recibidos y por las cosas que estamos seguros que vienen en camino
EL LUNES- es el
día consagrado a la salud ya que en la escala
de prioridades de la santa muerte nos dice que para poder recibir lo que queremos nuestra mente cuerpo y alma deberán estar sanos.
EL MARTES- es el día que es consagrado
al trabajo, ella nos dice que después de que procuramos nuestra salud debemos decretar
por obtener, mejorar o tener crecimiento en el trabajo pues
es el medio que nos dará los beneficios
materiales que tanto necesitamos.
EL MIÉRCOLES- este
día está consagrado al
dinero, si ya velaste por tu
salud física mental y espiritual y velaste por tu trabajo
el miércoles es el dia para reconciliarte
con el dinero para que pueda
llegar constantemente y que
cuando llegue no sea utilizado para imprevistos si no para cosas que te hagan tener
tranquilidad.
EL JUEVES- está
consagrado a los negocios para aquellos que trabajan por su
cuenta o que tienen en mente crear
un proyecto que los haga independizarse en el ámbito
financiero.
EL VIERNES- este
día está consagrado al
amor, para hacer decretos y
peticiones para mejorar relaciones, atraer al ser amado, renovar el amor, endulzar a las personas
y todo lo que tenga que ver con el amor de pareja al igual que amor familiar o amor propio.
EL DIA SABADO- en
este día podemos hacer un recuento de toda la semana, reforzar un tema en específico o bien decretar por todo
lo que hicimos en la semana. También es el día en que se dedica a limpiar nuestro hogar, nuestro negocio y automóvil.(Rodriguez)
●
Types
of Prayers She is Famous for Answering
● Time and again I see folk saints who are
petitioned for safe crossing across the border for undocumented people. This is
a criminal act, something that the Catholic Church cannot sanction, so people
look elsewhere.
● Freedom from addiction
● Protection
● Healing
● Money
●
Traditionally
how folks have prayed to Her
●
Rosary
●
Prayer Cards
●
Novenas- nine day
prayer sequence with a different prayer prayed each day. The most powerful one
starts the 1st of October. There is also one the first 9 days of November for
the souls of the deceased who are in Purgatory (Rodriguez).
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Photos-all
taken by me
Runas Tienda Naturista, Culiacán, Sinaloa 4/29/24
Santa Muerte shrine, Coyoacán, Mexico City, 5/4/24
Santa Muerte shrine, Coyoacán, Mexico City, 5/4/24
Santa Muerte shrine,
Tijuana, Mexico 7/14/24
Santa Muerte shrine,
Tijuana, Mexico 7/14/24
Works
Cited
Escobar, Fernando. “¿Cuándo
Es El Día de La Santa Muerte? Así Lo Celebran.” El Sol de
La Laguna | Noticias Locales, Policiacas,
Sobre México, Coahuila Y El Mundo, 2022,
www.elsoldelalaguna.com.mx/doble-via/cuando-es-el-dia-de-la-santa-muerte-asi-lo-celebran-9292477.html.
Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.
Herranz, Juanjo. “Tepito, Un Barrio Que
Reza a La Santa Muerte En El Corazón de CDMX.” Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler Spain, 18 May 2023,
www.traveler.es/articulos/tepito-barrio-bravo-ciudad-de-mexico-que-ver-que-hacer.
Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.
Martucci, Luciano. “The Ultimate Guide to Offerings to Santa
Muerte: Altars, Rituals, and Prayers.” Cosmovisions , 26 Feb. 2024,
cosmovisions.shop/blogs/santa-muerte/the-ultimate-guide-to-offerings-to-santa-muerte-altars-rituals-and-prayers.
Accessed 28 Sept. 2024.
Rodriguez, Maestro Alejandro. Filosofia de La Santa Muerte. 2024.
Rogue Art Historian. “Santa Muerte: Folk Saint of the
Marginalized, Not an Agent of Satan.” Substack.com,
Rogue’s Substack, 22 Sept. 2024,
roguearthistorian.substack.com/p/santa-muerte-folk-saint-of-the-marginalized.
Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.