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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Kiss of Death: Santa Muerte


Thanks to Jess Fortunato, I came across this wonderful piece of Mexican mythology. Let me introduce, Santa Muerte.
Santa Muerta. Picture by Yo.

Originally, she was Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the land of the dead, wife of Mictlantecahtli, Lord of Mictlan, land of the dead, and Lord of Darkness. Both were pre-Hispanic deities. She was believed to be the protector of souls that resided in the underworld. Mictecacihuatl was depicted as a woman dressed in traditional garb and adorned with flags that were put on corpses prepared for cremation. She wore a mask of a skull with a beak or blade protruding where the nose cavity was. Both the lord and the lady were given blood offerings in exchange for a favorable death. Because of this the color red is connected to Mictecacihuatl and Mictlantecahtli. The Lady of the Land of the Dead was connected to the Dia de los Muertos, or the Mexican Day of the Dead, which originally fell at the end of July and beginning of August.
Spanish priests moved the holiday to coincide with All Hallows Eve after the conquest of Mexico. This was an old trick that Catholics had in order to convert more to Christianity. They also changed Mictecacihuatl to Santa Muerte. Whatever the name, she has not faded into obscurity. In fact, she is becoming even more popular in the United States.

This article talks of how her following is spreading, especially among Mexican-American Catholics. She is even starting to rival St. Jude and La Virgen de Guadalupe.  Santa Muerte is depicted more like the Reaper, with a robe and a skeletal body. She is said to carry a scythe or a crystal ball, sometimes both.  She appeals to those seeking all kinds of otherworldly help, not just protection and vengeance, but help with getting a job you want.
Stautes of Santa Muerte. Picture by Maurice Marcellin

I really find Mictecacihuatl interesting and like Persephone once she became queen of the Greek Underworld. I love how I can find a similar religion across the world from each other. There are several is religions that exist today. Sometimes I wish other could see it and stop using their beliefs as a reason to fight.
So, do you have an interesting Saint of religious figure? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

If you’re interested in the occult and mythology, be sure to check out "A Prescription for Delirium" available NOW on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

7 comments:

  1. Will have to check that out :)


    New follower...http://demitrialunetta.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks for following Demitria. I look forward to talking with you more.

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  2. As much as I love reading about Mexican mythology, this is the first time I'm hearing about Santa Muerte. Fascinating!

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    1. YEah, Jess told me about her. She really is fascinating.

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  3. It's wonderful to see more people beginning to look past the surface of the bad press to discover this rich devotional tradition.

    There is some contention as to Her origins, however, and I would encourage you to look past easy answers, such as the idea that She is a syncretic emergence of Mictecacihuatl. From the scholarly research Santa Muerte actually appears to be quite Catholic, despite protestations from the Catholic orthodoxy.

    I recently presented on Santa Muerte at The Observatory in Brooklyn, New York, on a panel that included my friend Dr. R. Andrew Chesnut, Chair of Catholic Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.

    Here is a recent article that I wrote on the Santa Muerte tradition, which is based on the latest scholarship: http://www.modernmythology.net/2013/03/she-comes-from-west-with-flowers-in-her.html

    Also, here is an interview that I did with Dr. Chesnut: http://www.realitysandwich.com/holy_death_conversation_andrew_chesnut

    As the author of one of the only extensive studies of Santa Muerte available in English, he is a great source for information on this devotional tradition.

    Warm regards,

    David

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    1. David,

      Thanks for stopping by. Those are great articles. Thanks for sharing more about Santa Muerte with us.

      Noree

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  4. never fail prayer of the mother of sorrows
    you must read this prayer every day for 7 days,at the same time each day,and offer 1 tea candle for each of the 7 days and in the end of this novena publish this prayer 7 times and the Mother of Sorrows will grant your favor
    MOTHER OF SORROWS
    I COME BEFORE THEE,I SEEK THY PROTECTION.I SEEK THY AID
    MY MOTHER,MY QUEEN
    WITH A SWIPE OF YOUR POWERFUL HAND,YOU CAN HEAL THE SICK,EASE THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF THOSE ON THEIR DEATH BEDS
    I COME BEFORE THEE SEEKING YOUR MERCY,AND I ASK THEE THIS GREAT FAVOR..[SAY YOUR FAVOR AND MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS 3 TIMES]
    HOLY MOTHER OF SORROWS
    YOUR FAITHFUL CALL OUT THY HOLY NAME IN THEIR TIMES OF TRIAL AND GREAT TRIBULATION
    I CALL OUT THY NAME NINA NEGRA,NINA NEGRA,NINA NEGRA
    AND I ASK THEE TO GRANT ME YOUR MOST DIVINE INTERCESSION ON MY BEHALF BEFORE THE ALMIGHTY GOD,THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
    PLEASE WHISPER MY PRAYER INTO THE EARS OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD
    AND HELP ME TO OBTAIN THIS FAVOR WITH THE FULL BLESSINGS OF THE ALMIGHITY GOD,THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
    I KNOW MOTHER OF SORROWS YOU WILL HEAR THIS PRAYER AND GRANT ME THIS FAVOR
    I OFFER THEE THIS CANDLE WITH ALL OF MY HEART AND SOUL
    AMEN

    ReplyDelete