Mexican scary tales, or Madonna with a Scythe. R
In the epic television series Breaking Bad (which we quite stupidly called “Breaking Bad” - but this, however, is not relevant), among many other things, two silent murderer brothers from the Mexican mafia attract attention. They attract not by themselves, but by their eerie enclosure: to pray and worship a figurine of a skeleton in a cloak, with a scythe and all the other attributes of the traditional image of Death.
Meet Santa Muerte Blanca -White Holy Death aka the White Girl is the main figure of the cult of the same name, which has spread unusually widely in modern Mexico, especially in that part of its society that we would call tramp - that is, lumpen-marginal and criminal thieves.
Santa Muerte is a somewhat unique phenomenon, because where else can you see such a thing, for serious-looking people to revere such a creepy turtle with a scythe. That's right: you'll only see this in Mexico. Where, firstly, is the still strong ancient Aztec influence on the fragile minds of the spiritually suffering (Aztec beliefs, as we know, with considerable reverence belonged to death and all its manifestations). Secondly, the drug mafia here is almost as powerful and reckless as in Colombia. And in many ways it sets the tone for the directions of social thought. Thirdly, the poor and downtrodden population (that is, the electorate), often ready to grasp at any straw, even with an obvious demonic odor.
Connected together, these three factors gave birth to the cult of Santa Muerte Blanca, which emerged from the gangster slums and instantly scattered throughout the cities and villages. The touching love of the drug cartels for their Saint is explained simply: for those who walk on the edge, the only hope left is that the White Girl will spare those devoted to her. And most importantly, Holy Death is fair - it treats everyone equally: both the rich and the poor. This cannot be said about the bourgeois Santa Claus, for example (because social stratification is very noticeable in his gifts).
Worship of the White Girl seems to be completely legal, but it seems to be not completely legal, you can’t really understand. From time to time there are reports that the Mexican police have found and destroyed the next secret altars of Santa Muerte - religious buildings of the drug mafia - but it is not possible to completely eradicate the cult of Holy Death. On the contrary, Santa Muerte is gaining more and more popularity among the people every year, much to the chagrin of the Catholic Church.
According to the most adequate studies, the number of adherents of the White Girl is 4-5 million people and, as has already been said, has a tendency to increase. Before our eyes, Santa Muerte is becoming a serious social force and an important factor in the political game.
Below is the most detailed and thorough description of this exotic cult that could be found on the RuNet. This story, however, is quite biased and one-sided, but it’s even more interesting:
“The belief in the omnipotence of death and its power to destroy any obstacles has been inherent in the American Indians since pre-Columbian times. And today this faith has taken shape in Mexico, Argentina and other Latin American countries into a separate religious cult of the White Holy Death. The first temple of Santissima Muerta (this is the name of this saint in Spanish) was opened in Mexico City in 1999, and now this cult has more than two million followers.
When I was in Mexico talking with local residents about Spirits, shamans, witchcraft and magic, almost every interlocutor mentioned Santissima, her responsiveness and strength. “You ask - she does it. And he doesn’t poke your nose into your sins. And don’t order to wait and atone for sins for years. She just helps." The saint helped someone find a job, protected someone from the attacks of enemies, brought wealth to someone, or helped achieve reciprocity in love... Of course, I could not pass by such a powerful Spirit and went to meet Her....
In the temples of Saint Death there are two images of her: in the form of a female skeleton in a savanna with a scythe, an owl and a globe in her hands, or in the form of a pale young girl in a white dress (therefore, Saint Death is also called the White Girl). According to legend, initially people did not know death and, suffering from the weariness of endless life, turned to God with a request to bring them deliverance. God appeared to the young beautiful girl he had chosen and said that, according to his will, from now on she would become Death, a disembodied spirit, drawing a line under human life and giving a respite from the suffering and hardships of the earthly path. And immediately her body disintegrated, her beautiful face turned into a bare skull, and Death, having received a scythe from the hands of God, set off on her way across the earth...
She is often depicted with a scythe, scales and a globe in her hands - this symbolizes that all people on the planet are subject to her. It is equally fair, it measures everyone with the same standard: the rich and the poor, those who vegetate and those who stand at the pinnacle of power, the sick and the healthy, the smart and the stupid. It was the justice and impartiality of Santissima Muerta that made her the most popular saint among the poor and those people who feel completely helpless against the attacks of powerful enemies. People turn to her in the most desperate situations, when no one and nothing can help - and Holy Death, having weighed the measure of your suffering, can turn it into the same amount of joy. But her most sought-after “talents” are the ability to bestow money and good luck in love to those who ask. In the markets of Mexico, on the counter of almost every merchant you can see a figurine of Saint Death with dollars glued to it; or it may be in a box filled with coins. Entrepreneurs receive double help from the Saint: she attracts money to them, and cuts off the machinations of competitors and various government punitive bodies. Complete benefit! Muerta especially patronizes those people who are forced to work at night (this is her time!) or whose work is associated with dangers: taxi drivers, police officers, drivers, sellers in convenience stores, dancers in nightclubs - I noticed images of Saint Death or tattoos on many of them with her image.
Since the cult of Holy Death does not preach, like Christianity, humility, forgiveness, patience and other virtues that make people passive and easily controlled by the clergy, but, on the contrary, gives the adherent confidence and strength to defend their rights, the Mexican government has an ambivalent attitude towards the cult. On the one hand, this cult seems to be disapproved of, like, these are the superstitions of the dregs of society, people from the lower class; a cultured and educated person is ashamed to believe in Holy Death and needs to go to the Catholic Church in order to be decent and socially acceptable. But, on the other hand, with the tacit support of the authorities, the cult exists and develops - because these same representatives of the authorities see the power of Holy Death and themselves resort to its help. Information regularly leaks out that one or another who has had a good career or has become very rich, a politician or an entrepreneur, is an active and loyal follower of the White Girl. And such people will NEVER waste their time and money on something that does not bring them real benefits...
For the first time, I asked Santtissima Muerta to help me in one important matter, more out of curiosity than with faith in her power... but when my enemy fell ill with a heart attack an hour later, I was amazed at her capabilities. I sat in front of the figurine of Saint Death, surrounded by lit candles and understood that our *romance* with her was now for a long time... And now, when I have some kind of need, I just need to come to Santissima Muerte with faith and hope and - ask ...I know when she brings me a new big house (the fulfillment of my long-standing and cherished dream!) - the first thing I will do in the garden is to erect a large and luxurious altar for her.
An image of her, in the form of a statue or painting, is placed on the altar of the Holy Death. There are several images:
Santa Muerta in a white robe symbolizes purity and innocence. She appears in a white dress and with the attributes of the Virgin Mary: the symbolism of purity and innocence contradicts the traditional perception of death as the “fruit of sin.” Hence another name for her - White Girl.
Santa Muerto in gold means prosperity.
Santa Muerto in black - the power to overcome life's obstacles.
Santa Muerta in blue or purple - the awakening of mystical abilities, connection with the world of spirits.
When saying prayers to Santa Muerte, they use the Catholic prayer ritual - “novenas”, or nine-day prayers, and create an altar for her. People approach the altar of Santa Muerto only on their knees. Some rituals are performed only by children (usually little girls) (at the suggestion of adults): it is believed that Holy Death is especially favorable to their purity and innocence.
Offerings for Santa Muerto:
1. They put a lot of fresh flowers on her altar - red and white roses, carnations, tuberose, gardenia, tulips, only fresh ones, withered ones are immediately replaced. They believe that this guarantees health.
2. They present various sweets - chocolate, honey, liqueur, sweets, lollipops, and even chewing gum. So that life is sweet and there is no bitterness.
3. The offering can be alcoholic drinks - wine, cognac, tequila, rum, anisette, sometimes even beer (poured only into glass containers).
4. Cigarettes and cigars - in the amount of 2 pieces, as a rule. This is done to remove envy around the person asking. The altar and face of Santa Muerto are also additionally fumigated with tobacco for a kind of cleansing.
5. Fruits should always be fresh, especially red apples and yellow fruits (bring prosperity), coconuts, pineapples, mangoes, watermelons, bananas are also used - 3-4 pieces.
6. Pure water (also in glass) is the main conductor of communication with Holy Death.
7.Bread - changed 2 times a week. But the stale ones are not thrown away, but taken to the park under a tree.
8. Incense in the form of sticks or cones. Frankincense, copal, sandalwood, myrrh, rosemary, and mux are often used. Helps to cleanse yourself of negative energy and brings good luck in everything. Mostly two straws or cones are burned to fulfill a wish. Also, candles in any quantity will not be superfluous on her altar.
Saint Death is very jealous and does not tolerate images of other saints or Spirits standing next to her. Also, the one who worships her should carry her image with him as a symbol of the fact that he always remembers her - usually this is a keychain. pendant, but many adherents get a tattoo of the Saint on their body.
PRAYERS OF HOLY DEATH
MONDAY
Santa Muerte, I ask you that from the beginning of the week you will fill my family, my hearth and my work with blessings. Protect me from everything bad. Let it be so.
TUESDAY
White Girl, I bow at your feet and urgently ask you to give me health. Remove any disease so that I can move forward. I ask you from the bottom of my heart.
WEDNESDAY
On this day that has begun today, I do not ask you for anything. But I am grateful to you for the protection that you give to me and my beloved creatures. Continue to keep us under your hand.
THURSDAY
Today, before I go out, I ask you to open all the roads that lead me to a calm life, I do not ask you for luxury, but only for the most necessary things so that I can live without worries. I place my faith in you.
FRIDAY
White Sister, I ask you, through the owl who always accompanies you, to give me prudence to guide my children (family), and that they always behave like good creatures. I trust you.
SATURDAY
Thank you, my Lady, for allowing me to see the light of a new day, and in gratitude I will think of you and dedicate this invocation to you so that my requests will be heard. My trust is for you.
SUNDAY
Thank you, Holy Death, for being close to me all 7 days of this week. Thank you for giving me protection and moving away from me and my hearth all the bad things that were creeping up on me. My devotion is yours forever.
PRAYER OF THE HOLY DEATH FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF WISHES
(Santa Muerte de mi corasOn brindame seinOra tu proteksOn
cm. de mi amOr, librame de qualquier tradOr
cm. de mi Alma bendIseme con tu kAlma
cm. de mi vida consedeme lo ke te pida
cm. de mis pensamEntos no me dehes sin sustEnto
cm. bendIta dAme felicidAd infinIta)
Holy Death of my heart, bring me lord your protection
Holy Death of my love, free me from any traitor
Holy Death of my soul, grace me with your peace
Holy Death of my life, grant me what I ask for
Holy Death of my thoughts, do not leave me without food
Holy Blessed Death, give me endless happiness.
CALLING ON THE HOLY DEATH BEFORE APPEALING TO HER
Lord, Father Almighty, creator of heaven, earth and everything visible and not
Apparently, we ask you for permission to call upon the Most Holy Death, my
white baby, my wonderful rose.
Prayer (Invocation):
Most Holy Death, Most Holy Death, Most Holy Death, we ask you,
come to us and join the joy we experience when we are with
you, my white girl, my magnificent rose, guide us along
the right path and protect us from everything bad.
Most Holy Death, Most Holy Death, Most Holy Death, come we pray
Mother of God to bow to you and honor you and so that we
filled with joy, because when you are with us, you give us protection and we do not
we are afraid of nothing, with the virtues that you possess, we
we will overcome all obstacles on our way, Holy Death, do not leave
us and give us your protection.
Most Holy Death, come, we ask with all our hearts, we thank you,
thank you, thank you, Most Holy Death, for being with us and
In the name of our Lord Almighty Father, we offer you the following
prayer, thank you white baby, thank you wonderful rose for what
be with us blessed.
FAREWELL TO THE HOLY DEATH AND COMPLETION OF PRAYER
Most Holy Death, we thank you for your spiritual presence, and
We are eternally grateful for the fact that you listen to us and we
We are grateful to you for supporting us and we ask you
always respond to our calls and comes when one of us is in
you need, my white baby, accept our gratitude and be
Blessed be the Most Holy Death, thank you for giving us this
great time of joy.
Thank you, Holy Death,
Thank you, wonderful rose,
Thank you, white girl!
Adherents of the cult claim that Holy Death works miracles. Sometimes she is revered more than Jesus, because it was death that took him, therefore she is stronger.
It is believed that she helps where other Saints are powerless. Often, people refuse help from the Catholic Church, citing the fact that it only teaches and does not help. But Saint Death makes no exception for anyone - everyone is equal before her: a prostitute, a policeman, a seller of pirated CDs, a politician, and even a drug dealer.
Here's what the locals say: “She just helps, and doesn’t poke your nose into your sins. She does not demand to wait for years for a miracle, she simply fulfills the request. And what kind of desire this is is on your conscience. And you yourself are responsible for it...
“It doesn’t matter what you give her: flowers, an apple, a joint of marijuana, candles, or anything else. It is important that it comes from the heart. Whether you are a crime boss, a homosexual, poor or rich, sick or healthy, smart or stupid - it doesn’t matter! Santissima has no prejudices, she never blames anyone. She is ready to help for free."
However, many, before praying to this Saint, first turn to Jesus, asking permission for this prayer.
“People ask for what they want - it’s up to them. Someone simply comes for a blessing, someone prays for the child’s recovery, someone wants to free their brother from prison, someone asks for fair retribution, and someone wants to bring damage to an enemy or offender. There is nothing wrong with revenge if there is really a reason for it, otherwise everything can turn against you. Santissima can’t be bad, it’s just that sometimes bad people come to her and ask for bad things.”
Santa Muerte's main areas of competence are love and money matters, as well as protection from violent death and illness. First of all, she protects those who work at night and risk their lives almost every day: police officers, drug dealers, “barrel fairies,” taxi drivers and mariachi musicians. It is precisely the justice attributed to the Holy One that makes her so attractive to everyone who considers themselves undeservedly deprived by society or fate.
Initially, the cult arose in villages among the poor population, over time becoming popular in criminal circles, and much later it also attracted wealthy residents of big cities. But even today, the main places for holding rituals are concentrated in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The first Temple of Santa Muerte was opened in Mexico City in 1999; until that moment, altars dedicated to her were only in private homes.
Outwardly, the new Mexican Saint resembles the well-known image of death - in a hood and with a scythe. She has a scale in one hand. In the other there is a globe, meaning that all people on the planet are subject to it. The ball also symbolizes justice and equality for everyone, regardless of origin and status. Sometimes Santissima appears in a white dress and with the attributes of the Virgin Mary - the embodiment of purity and innocence. Hence another name for her - White Girl (Niña Blanca).
According to legend, people previously did not know death, but, tired of the hardships of endless life, they turned to God with a request to send them deliverance. God appeared to the young beautiful girl he had chosen and said that from now on she would become Death - a disembodied spirit that draws a line under human life and ends the suffering of the earthly path. At that same moment, her body disintegrated, her beautiful young face turned into a bare skull and, having received a scythe from the hands of God, Death set off on her way across the earth...
For Santa Muerte, special chapels are set up, with an altar and the main statue of the Deity (a female skeleton dressed in a magnificent elegant dress). Also, the image of Saint Death can be presented in the form of a colored figure or painting. The specifics of the sanctuary depend on the problems the believer hopes to solve. The color of Santissima's cape can be almost any color, and each has its own meaning.
- The traditional robe is white - a symbol of immaculate purity.
- To help in love affairs, Muertita's cape should be red.
- To resolve problems with the law - green.
- To overcome financial difficulties - gold (symbol of prosperity) or yellow.
- Black Death is a force that conquers life's obstacles.
- Santa Muerta in blue or purple - the awakening of mystical abilities, connection with the world of spirits.
- Quite often there is a Saint in a rainbow robe who can solve all problems at once.
Many small figurines are sold in the markets for the construction of home altars. Almost every merchant has a figurine of Saint Death on the counter with dollars glued to it, or it can stand in a box filled with coins.
Images with long brown or black hair are also common. And in gangster circles, statues of the Goddess are sometimes built from the most natural skeletons of deceased enemies.
Many fresh flowers are brought to her altar - red and white roses, marigolds, carnations, tuberose, tulips. Those that have faded are immediately replaced.
Fruits are also part of the traditional offerings, and of course they must be fresh. Red and yellow apples (a symbol of prosperity) are especially honored. Santissima will not refuse coconuts, pineapples, mangoes, watermelons and bananas.
Often she is presented with various sweets - chocolate, honey, sweets, lollipops, even Coca-Cola and chewing gum - so that life is sweet and without bitterness. Alcoholic drinks are also included in the gifts. Tequila, rum, anisette, cognac, wine, liqueur, and sometimes beer, which must be in glass containers.
The White Girl also loves cigarettes and cigars. This helps eliminate envy around the person asking. As a rule, tobacco products are placed in 2 pieces (the number “2” and other even ones are revered in this religion).
Pure water (certainly in glass) is the main conductor of communication with Holy Death.
The bread is changed 2 times a week. At the same time, the stale ones are not thrown away, but are taken to the park under a tree.
And finally - incense: incense, sandalwood, myrrh, rosemary, musk. They help clear negative energy and bring good luck.
Candles and aromatic oils will not be out of place on the “Bone” altar. In addition to the above, money and even cartridges are placed at her feet (to protect her from violent death).
Rumor has it that Saint Death is as powerful as he is jealous. If you stop showing her signs of respect and attention, she may suddenly get her hands on you.
Santissima's jealousy is also manifested in the fact that she does not tolerate images of other Saints or Spirits near her. The only Saint who can be placed next to her is Saint Jude (not Iscariot) - the protector of the disadvantaged and the patron of dangerous endeavors. The parishioners are afraid to place other Saints near her gaze.
The worshiper of Santissima carries her image with him, as a symbol of the fact that he always remembers her. Usually this is a gold/silver pendant-image of Death or a keychain. For greater effectiveness, the amulet is tempered in the fire of a candle. Avoid touching the medallion with other people's hands. Also, many adherents get a tattoo on their body with the image of a Saint - this protects a person from a bullet, arrest and other troubles.
Some rituals are performed only by children (usually little girls), because Holy Death is especially favorable to their purity and innocence.
It is customary to communicate with Muertita (unlike the Christian religion) on an equal basis - with your shoulders straightened and your head held high. When addressing the Saint, you need to look her straight in the eyes. Often the face or statue is fumigated with cigar tobacco for a kind of purification. Treating her with various gifts, they also treat themselves.
For Santa Muerte to fulfill a wish, you must come to her altar on your knees. This action is very clearly shown in one of the episodes of the series “Breaking Bad”.
On every first night of the month, a mass is held followed by a blessing for all who come.
But some adherents have found a cunning way to give up this faith if necessary: you need to wash yourself three times with holy water, and then leave the statue with a scythe in a Catholic church.
The Church condemns the cult, insisting there is no connection between Santa Muerte and Christianity, but because the country has freedom of religion, its adherents are not officially persecuted. However, repressions are periodically carried out against followers of this faith, in particular, the demolition of chapels dedicated to Death is practiced.
At the same time, adherents of the religion insist that their cult has nothing to do with black magic and continue to consider themselves devout Catholics. Moreover, recently political parties sympathetic to this religion have begun to appear, and parishioners themselves periodically organize protests and refuse to vote in elections for deputies who oppose the recognition of Santa Muerte.
Due to the fact that the cult of Holy Death does not preach (like Christianity) humility, forgiveness, patience and other virtues that make people passive and easily controlled by the clergy, but, on the contrary, gives the adherent confidence and strength to defend their rights, the attitude of the Mexican government towards the cult is ambivalent . On the one hand, they do not approve of it, contemptuously calling it “a superstition of the scum of society,” which a cultured and educated person is ashamed to believe in. On the other hand, the cult exists and develops with the tacit support of the authorities, because the government and government officials themselves often turn to the “Madonna with a Scythe” for help.
A fun fact is that during the World Cup, Santissima is dressed in the colors of the Mexican flag (green, white, red), and a soccer ball is placed in her hands (instead of the traditional globe). All this is done so that the White Girl will bring good luck to the national team. Whether this helps or not, judge for yourself. But the fact remains that the Mexican team is the most inconvenient opponent for the strongest team in the world - the Brazilian team. And over the past ten years, meetings of these countries in official matches have brought Mexico six victories out of a possible seven.
But it’s not just football that brings Santa Muerte to almost every home. Today, the image of Death is popular both in our homeland and far beyond its borders. It has become a part of art, and artists and designers around the world actively use it in their works. A skeleton in an elegant dress appears in the paintings of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, in the engravings and book illustrations of Jose Guadalupe Posada.
Relatively recently, Nike released a series of sneakers called Santa Muerte.
And if we look closely at the photograph of the tattooed world catwalk star Rick Genest (Zombie Boy), it’s not difficult to understand what became the source of inspiration for his “afterlife” image.
Mexico is a unique country where the attitude towards death is radically different from things familiar to us from childhood. An integral part of the life of the majority of the population is the annual celebration of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) - a holiday dedicated to the memory of the dead, which takes place on November 1 and 2. There is a belief that these days the souls of departed relatives visit their home. A carnival is organized throughout the country, sweets in the shape of skulls are prepared, tequila flows like a river. Cemeteries are decorated with ribbons and flowers, and the roads to homes are lined with candles so that the deceased can find their way home.
The main attribute of the Day of the Dead is the figurine of Calavera Catrina (Spanish: La Calavera Catrina) - this is a female skeleton in a luxurious dress, a kind of fashionista from the afterlife - a kind of prototype of Holy Death. The variety of such figures is amazing - in addition to chic outfits, Katrina can have a dowry in the form of a dressing table, a piano, a car, or even a jacuzzi. She often appears in the most unexpected images: from a bride and a flamenco dancer to a rock star and a geisha.
Día de los Muertos is a colorful event with no room for mourning. The townspeople dress up in costumes of ghouls, ghouls, and Death itself. It is also customary to sprinkle ashes on the head and wash the bones of deceased relatives all night. Songs, dances and gambling certainly accompany the celebration; grieving and crying are strictly prohibited. Another interesting Day of the Dead tradition is the creation of caricatures of living important people, accompanied by poetic obituaries.
Day of the Dead is a day to celebrate life! And it’s not for nothing that Mexican folk wisdom says: “I owe all the best in me to death!”
Mexican Federal Highway 85 is 754 miles long and begins in the north in the city of Nuevo Laredo. Right on the border is the Laredo Bridge, which belongs to both Mexico and the United States. Nothing special, but quite large - four car lanes, pedestrian paths on both sides, 309 meters long and almost 13 meters high.
On May 11, 2007, Friday morning, it was under this bridge that a car driving from Mexico slid under this bridge. On average, about 14 thousand cars a day pass along this section of the highway, but this morning (as it later turned out from registration data) the road was almost empty. Two men were taken out of the car in handcuffs, and another was pulled out of the trunk. All three are brought to the altar, which stands under the bridge, almost in the middle.
The altar, of course, is very conventional - just some rubbish, ribbons, balls, jewelry are thrown over it. The main thing is the figurine in the center. Not a very realistic, but easily recognizable figure of a girl with characteristic makeup, her face is made of either plastic or rubber. It is very difficult to see something - the girl is wearing a white wedding dress, which covers her almost like a burqa. The driver brings the box, places it near the altar and begins to arrange the colorful candles that were lying nearby. Three handcuffed men are brought to their knees. The one that was lying in the trunk becomes hysterical, falls to the ground and tries to roll. He is killed first. First in the chest, then two bullets in the head. The remaining two are shot only in the forehead. It takes two bullets. The first one is dragged to the altar so that the blood flows out of him nearby - this is how it should be. While all this is happening, the driver writes a note on a small orange piece of paper, and then attaches it to the wall next to the altar. The sheet says: “This is for everyone who messes with the Gulf Cartel. Welcome to Nuevo Laredo, bunch of assholes." The driver then lights all the candles and adjusts the flowers around the altar, after which all three get into the car and drive away. The bodies will be discovered within a few hours.
David Romo did not spend the night at his home on the night of December 19, 2011, so in the morning the intelligence services found only his wife. She was arrested. David was arrested less than an hour later in the company of seven other people. Those arrested were taken to the police station, where they were photographed, statements taken, and then charged with kidnapping and blackmail.
In court, Romo claimed that the police tortured him, kicked him, used a stun gun, that this was all election fraud - one of the candidates decided to gain political ratings on innocent people, and he, Romo, did not do anything illegal, since everything illegal is prohibited to him his religion. One might say, it was created by him.
David, along with his accomplices, was placed under house arrest for 30 days while the preliminary investigation was conducted. In June 2012, Mexican David was sentenced to 66 years in prison and a fine of 666 times the Mexico City minimum wage for theft, kidnapping and extortion.
Dona Queta
Enriqueta Romero rocks in her chair and smokes a thick filter cigarette. They came to interview her again. “I’ve been a follower for over 40 years,” Enriqueta says and takes a long puff. She already said this in the film that was made about her in 2007. 13 years ago, in 2001, her son, who had just been released from prison, came to her and placed a statue of a skeleton dressed in a dress in her shop. A few months later, the human-sized figure was taken out onto the street, since a lot of people were constantly gathering in front of it, and then they were completely removed behind glass, having built a solid altar around it.
“She loves us and heals us. People come here to ask her for help - if someone has a son in prison, or AIDS, or there is nothing to eat, says Romero. - Holy Death is our savior, our light. It is very difficult to explain what it means to us. She protects those whom no one else will protect.” It would not be much of an exaggeration to say that Enriqueta Romero single-handedly popularized the cult of Santa Muerte. It was after the organization of the altar in Tepito - one of the most disadvantaged areas of Mexico City - that the worship of Holy Death came out of the basements into the streets.
“Holy Death is our savior, our light. It is very difficult to explain what it means to us. She protects those whom no one else will protect.”
Two missing boys
In Mexico there is the state of Sonora. This state is home to copper mines, around which the industrial town of Nacosari de Garcia with a population of ten thousand people is built. When ten-year-old Martin Rios disappeared there in July 2010, no one made a fuss. No case was opened, law enforcement agencies were not involved in the search.
On March 6, 2011, eight months after Rios disappeared, another ten-year-old boy, Izus Martinez, disappeared in the same city. His parents turned out to be somewhat more scrupulous and contacted the police on the same day.
There is a local branch of the Church of Saint Death in Nacosari de Garcia. The altar was located in a house on the outskirts of the town; both missing boys often visited the same house. The owner of the villa and the leader of the cult was Silvia Meraz Moreno, now 46 years old.
On March 8, 2012, police conducting a search found the body of Izus Martinez hidden under the floor in the bedroom of one of Meraz's daughters. All eight cult members were immediately arrested, and the corpses of Martin Rios and Cleotilde Romero were found buried in the suburbs. Meraz Moreno and six of her accomplices were given life sentences; the eighth girl, who was 15 years old at the time of her arrest, is in custody until she reaches adulthood. Her trial is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2015.
As it turned out, in June 2010, Meraz, with the help of her partner, longitudinally opened the veins in the arms of the living Martin Rios and poured the blood into a plastic container until the boy died, and then poured it generously on the altar in the house. The same operation was performed on ten-year-old Izus Martinez in March 2011, only his head was cut off after opening his veins. Izus was the grandson of Sylvia Meraz, and her partner - the main accomplice in the murders - had previously dated Rios' mother.
Birth of Saint Death
It was like this: at first people lived and did not know death. Lived forever. They lived and did not die. Never. People are tired of living like this: grief and torment, suffering and disappointment, frustration and deprivation. People came to God and asked him to do something about it. God is all-merciful, thank him, he chose a girl, came to her and said: “According to my will, from now on you will be Death, drawing a line under the lives of people and saving them from torment.” Try to argue with God - the girl’s body disintegrated, leaving a bare skull instead of a face, a scythe in her hands, and then you know.
Since Santa Muerte is a skeleton, she is tormented by permanent thirst. Therefore, water is often offered as a sacrifice to her, always in a transparent glass container. It's the same with alcohol. Also flowers, bread (which needs to be changed every two weeks), fruit. They really like to surround her with candles of different colors and incense, they breathe thick smoke from something smoking into the figurines’ face - they say she likes it. Saint Death is after all a girl, so she cannot wear the same dress all her life. Dresses need to be changed. If you want love or, for that matter, your husband back, throw red on the skeleton. If you want money, obviously, gold or yellow. There are problems with the law: he killed someone or something, he stole a chicken - before prayer, the robe of the Holy Death must be green. Researchers are mostly silent about the blood of ten-year-old boys.
Santa Muerte is all-forgiving and all-giving. You can leave her forever in a traditional white dress and ask for whatever you want. On the other hand, someone says that if you, Holiest Death, do not respect her, she will destroy all your relatives and expose you to the bullets of that wimp from the enemy cartel. And that’s it, and you’re not there. That's it. It was necessary to change dresses.
12 burned heads
On the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of the same name there is the resort city of Cancun. On August 30, 2008, on the outskirts of Cancun, a short shootout ensued between police and three people in a car that the police intended to stop. One of those hiding was wounded, all three were disarmed. A firearm and a bloody ax were found in the car. Those caught belonged to the Los Zetas cartel. The day before the arrest, these people brought 12 people to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Cancun, cut off their heads, laid them out in a circle in a nearby field and burned them. After the arrest, searches were carried out in the houses of the accused, and symbols and figures of Santa Muerte were found on all three.
The day before the arrest, these people brought 12 people to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Cancun, cut off their heads, laid them out in a circle in a nearby field and burned them.
Failed Reformation
A year earlier, David Romo, the founder of the first official Church of Saint Death, who would later be imprisoned for kidnapping and blackmail, attempted reformation. At that time, his brainchild had already been deprived of the status of an official religious organization, and now this was a murder under a bridge. Obviously, the newspapers will trumpet the ritual shooting in the name of Santa Muerte, and this will not be good for the church at all.
In the summer of 2007, Romo introduces a new image for worship - a pretty brunette with an ordinary human face and huge wings on her back, now called the Angel of Death. He sends out appeals to the owners of local altars and regional branches: “We will now live in a new way,” but the flock does not heed. Holy Death is too attractive, and we are very used to it.
A few months later, Romo burst out with accusations against the paraphernalia dealers, saying that it was they, with their mercantile interests, who pushed the reformist example into a corner, did not allow it to proceed, and opposed the founder of the church. The paraphernalia traders ignored the cries of the self-nominated archbishop.
Where did Holy Death come from?
The formation and origins of the cult of Santa Muerte are still under great question. Most researchers agree that this is a syncretic thing, formed from a bunch of different beliefs, and to an even greater extent from the Spanish Catholic expansion into Mesoamerican pagan civilizations, in particular, the Olmec, Mayan and Aztec tribes.
The personification of death is generally very typical for Mexico and its geographical ancestors. The cult of Santa Muerte is not usually associated with the Day of the Dead, which is widely celebrated in Mexico, but you would not be wrong to assume that they have the same origins. The Aztecs celebrated every August, for the whole month: they presented gifts and sacrifices to the goddess of death Mictlancihuatl - why not Holy Death?
The practical situation with the attitude of the followers of Holy Death towards Catholicism also speaks in favor of the religious-syncretistic basis of the cult - the same Enriqueta Romero, to whom the cult owes its popularization, says that she is a devout Catholic. That is, Catholicism is separate, Holy Death is separate, and both do not interfere with each other at all. And so it is almost everywhere. The synthesis of Holy Death with Catholicism should not be taken seriously as a complete and conscious teaching. There is rather a schizophrenic confusion here, like that of the Orthodox Russian peasants, who reproduced a bunch of pagan rituals in everyday life.
One person per week
On March 29, 2010, a policeman working in the Bayo Flores area on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires (Argentina) lost his pistol. A working moment - well, it’s gone and gone, they’ll conduct an internal investigation.
Two weeks later, the body of 27-year-old philosophy student Rodrigo Ezcurro was found in the same area. On July 22, 27-year-old Pablo Villa was killed nearby. On the morning of August 8, that is, two weeks later, witnesses discovered the body of 48-year-old Georges Mansilla almost in the same place. Pablo Zanuik, 26, and Marcelo Cabrera, 28, were found on August 15 in the same area.
On the last day of summer, August 31, 22-year-old Marcelo Antelo was detained after a short shootout with the police. A 0.9 caliber pistol was found in his possession - the same one stolen from a policeman. According to Antelo, he promised Saint Death to kill a person a week so that she would protect him and help him find well-being. As can be understood from the frequency of the murders, Antelo did not fulfill his promise. Apparently that's why he was caught. We must keep our word.
According to Antelo, he promised Saint Death to kill a person a week so that she would protect him and help him find well-being.
Patroness of crime
All these stories about ritual murders in the name of Holy Death sound so monstrous only because they are taken out of a general, much less carnivorous context. Linking this cult with murders is a criminal exaggeration, unless you are a representative of the Catholic Church, then everything is quite understandable. Santa Muerte has at least six million followers in Mexico alone. And also South and Central America, Canada. Most adherents are teenagers and women.
On the other hand, Santa Muerte’s connection with the criminal world and its popularity among various types of delinquents are obvious. The point, of course, is not only in thanatic romance - Holy Death returns to its fans the comfort of a pagan cult. The beautiful Niña Blanca, unlike the strict Catholic Church, does not require righteousness and self-restraint from you, it doesn’t really require anything at all - put some bread and pour some water, and that’s not necessary.
The White Girl is not judging you or anyone else. She doesn’t judge at all, it’s not her responsibility. She only gives and protects. If Holy Death takes anything from anyone, it is from your enemy. What if you yourself turn out to be someone's enemy? It’s better not to think about this, this is already particular, and why bother bothering your head at all. Such questions can be raised or omitted in any religion.
Holy Death is, without exaggeration, the most convenient denomination in the world; you can ask her for anything. The progressive intelligentsia will not remain disappointed: in Mexico, it is the Church of Saint Death that actively supports the LGBT community and freely holds homosexual weddings. Prostitutes, thieves, murderers, drug dealers, once again: Holy Death does not judge. Just like the Christianity of the times of Jesus and the Apostle Peter.
35 demolished temples
Claudia Rosales has extended nails and a floating tattoo all over her back. She owns a store that sells shoes and clothes. At the beginning of 2009, Rosales, with her own money, erected a statue of Saint Death on the central highway on the border with the United States in the city of Matamoros. A month later, the statue was declared illegal and demolished. The city's mayor appeared on television the next day and delicately said that Mexicans can worship whatever they want, but it is better to do it at home or in temples, without intruding into public space.
The Catholic Church has every reason to unite with the authorities to fight the cult of Santa Muerte - its affairs in Latin America, until recently a faithful stronghold of the faith, have not been going well lately. People are disappointed in religion, which is not able to make them rich and successful. And the Holy Death brings money, the paraphernalia traders won’t let you lie: for the last three years, figurines with bony figures have been selling much better than merch of the traditional Mexican Holy Virgin of Guadalupe.
Francisco Batista is a holy father from Mexico City: “Even about eight years ago we saw a huge representation of the cult among drug lords and cartel members. Why? Because these people say that Jesus or the Virgin Mary are not able to give what they ask for, which is protection from the soldiers, the police and their enemies.” He is confident that the cult of Saint Death only increases the scale of violence in Mexico, since Santa Muerte allegedly implies human sacrifice in exchange for his protection. Meanwhile, the queue at the altar of Enriqueta Romero in Tepito is increasing in inverse proportion to the decrease in the flock of Catholic churches.
People are disappointed in a religion that cannot do
them rich and successful.
And Holy Death brings money.
Mexican Federal Highway 85 is 754 miles long and begins in the north in the city of Nuevo Laredo. On the night of Monday, March 24, 2009, a municipal bulldozer drove along this highway. The workers had a task - to demolish 35 temples of Holy Death, built on the border with America. It was along this road two years earlier that a car carrying six people was driving. About 20 minutes after the car slid under the bridge, the driver lit candles and arranged flowers around the altar located near the concrete bridge support. Then all three got into the car and drove away. Three corpses will be discovered within a few hours.
SANTA MUERTE (Spanish: Santa Muerte - Holy Death)- a modern religious cult, widespread in Mexico and the USA and consisting in the worship of the deity of the same name, personifying death. A type of modern thanatolatry.
Origins
The cult of Santa Muerte is syncretic and comes from a mixture of elements of the mythology of the indigenous peoples of Mexico (mainly Aztecs and Mayans) with Catholicism. 
“Death as a part of life,” - the ancient Indians revered the gods of death and darkness - Mictecacihuatl (Mictlancihuatl - common in Russian pronunciation) and her husband Mictailhuitontli (Mictlantecuhtli). Their main holiday took place from July 24 to August 12. But Mictlancihuatl was more revered; they brought her gifts and built walls of skulls - tzompantli. The temple of these gods was located in the center of modern Mexico City and was called Tenochtitlan.
Mictlancihuatl, who ruled with her husband in the 9th underworld of Mictlan, was depicted as a woman with a skull instead of a head, and was dressed in a skirt made of rattlesnakes. For several centuries, the Church suppressed the flourishing death cult since the time of the conquistadors, but the goddess survived this.
For Mexicans, the worship of death deities is to a large extent traditional, as evidenced by the widespread celebration of special “Days of the Dead” among the Catholic population of the country, but only among adherents of the cult is the actual veneration of Death as a deity currently widespread. The first mentions of the cult date back to the 17th century.
The essence of faith
Fans of Santa Muerte believe that prayers addressed to Death are able to reach the “addressee”, and that she is able to fulfill wishes. For this purpose, special chapels are set up, statues of the deity are erected (usually represented as a female skeleton dressed in a bright dress) and sacrifices are made (alcoholic drinks, cigars and chocolate are most often presented to Death). With the sharp rise in crime in the last century, in the poor areas of Mexico City - Tepito, a faith based on the ancient cult and Catholic spirit began to spread. Attractive to the population of poor neighborhoods, who make up the bulk of the cult's followers, is the statement of equality before Santa Muerte of all people, including those who are at odds with the law.
Adherents of the cult claim that Holy Death works miracles, helping to feed the family, eliminating terrible diseases, and helping to survive in the criminal world. They refuse help from the Church, arguing that Holy Death makes no exception for anyone, everyone is equal before her: a prostitute, a seller of pirated CDs, and a murderer, and the Catholic Church only punishes, but does not help.
Adherents of the cult see death as something undeniable in life, a natural law that must be accepted. And she is revered more than Jesus, since it was death that took him, therefore, she is stronger than God. It is believed that she helps where other saints are powerless.
Some of the representatives of the cult are united by the so-called Traditional Catholic Church of Mexico and the USA. Founder: David Romo. The first parish of this organization appeared in 1999.
Adherents of the cult built many chapels; inside they are placed ominous figures of skeletons in long robes with the scythes of Death. On every first night of the month, a blessing mass is held in Tepito.
On the altar of the chapel there are often 3 statues of her in different colors:
1. White Death - symbolizes purity and innocence. She appears in a white dress and with the attributes of the Virgin Mary: the symbolism of purity and innocence contradicts the traditional perception of death as the “fruit of sin.” Hence another name for her - White Girl.
2. Golden Death - prosperity.
3. Black Death - the power to overcome life's obstacles.
Instead of a cross, parishioners wear a gold or silver pendant of Death with a scythe at the level of the heart. The golden amulet is tempered for effectiveness on the fire of a candle, a glass of water is placed next to it and a prayer to Holy Death is read. 
On the golden amulet they read:
“Oh Santísima Muerte, yo te invoco para que a través de tu imagen me libres de todos los peligros, ya sean materiales o de embrujamiento y que a través de esta flama sagrada purifique mi cuerpo de toda salación y maldición y que a su vez venga El amor, la paz y la abundancia. Que así sea.” (O most holy death, I call on you to illuminate the use of your image for me, free me from all dangers, be it robbery or witchcraft, through this sacred fire cleanse the talisman, remove the curse from me, give me happiness, peace and abundance. So be it ).
To charge the silver amulet of death, it is placed under the light of the moon on white stones at night. Early in the morning they wrap it in a white rag and, fumigating it with incense, read:
“Santísima Muerte yo te suplico que a través de tu poder infinito compartas conmigo tus bendiciones y me libres de todos los peligros habidos y por haber, abre los caminos por muy difíciles que estos sean, que no sea presa de la traición y de la envidia . Gracias Santísima Muerte por haberme escuchado.” (Most Holy Death, I ask through your infinite power, share your blessings with me and free me from all dangers that exist or may come, open paths for me, ward off betrayal and envy. Thank you for your attention Holy Death).
After this, wearers avoid letting other people's hands touch the medallion, try not to wash it (or be very careful with a white cloth with lotion). It is also undesirable to have more than 2 images of her (the number 2 and other odd ones are logically revered in this religion).
At the same time, adherents of the religion insist that their cult has nothing to do with black magic and continue to consider themselves devout Catholics.
Relations with authorities and other faiths
The Church condemns the cult, insisting that there is no connection between Santa Muerte and Christianity, but since the country has freedom of religion, its adherents are not persecuted.
But the cult is persecuted by the Mexican authorities as satanic; repressions are periodically carried out against representatives of the cult, in particular, the demolition of chapels dedicated to Death is practiced. Authorities in the state of Nuevo Laredo, for example, destroyed more than 30 roadside chapels. In parallel with this, political parties sympathetic to this religion have already begun to appear, and the parishioners themselves periodically organize protests and refuse to vote in the elections of deputies who oppose the recognition of this religion.
Meanwhile, the number of followers of the Holy Death continues to grow steadily, and according to some estimates, in Mexico alone over 5,000,000 people worship the Madonna with the Scythe. In addition to Mexico, the cult has spread in South America and the United States among the Latin American diaspora and even among the population of Anglo-Saxon origin.
Thus, in just ten years, Santa Muerte has become one of the most important religious symbols present in various spheres of life of millions of Mexicans and thousands of migrants from Mexico and Central America. Although no one denies Kostlyava’s special appeal to everyone associated with the criminal world, including law enforcement officers, the purpose of this book is to examine the image of Saint Death in all its unique diversity. If we focus only on the black votive candle - a kind of "dark" aspect of the saint, much more popular colors among believers - red, white and gold - will escape our attention: these candles are lit by those whose thoughts are far from the sphere of "crime and punishment"
Resembling a rainbow, the seven-color candle fully conveys the essence of the Powerful Lady. Believers usually light such candles (by the way, these are top sellers) in front of their saint when they ask for supernatural intervention in various areas of life. I once bought one of these candles in Morelia, and now it sits on my desk near the printer. On the candle, framed by a kind of “frame” of fourteen skulls, Saint Death is depicted holding in his hands balance scales, personifying justice and constancy. At the base of the candle, almost under the edge of the Skeleton Saint’s robe, letters appear like falling drops "MUERTE CONTRA MIS ENEMIGOS"(“to the destruction of my enemies”) - this is very similar to the bloody inscriptions from Hollywood “horror films”.
This severity is slightly softened by the image of the Charming One and the prayer addressed to her on the other side of the candle - they resort to this hypostasis of the saint in order to return a prodigal spouse or cohabitant to the family, or simply in search of protection and patronage. The conspiracy to return the husband begins with the words: “I ask you (Santa Muerte) to have (name) at my feet, submit to me and keep his promises.” This prayer ends with a bang. “I ask for your (Santa Muerte) protection, the fulfillment of my desires, and may it be so until my last day, hour and moment.” The Godmother depicted on a multi-colored candle, if you turn to her, will do justice, restore justice, defeat enemies, return an unfaithful man and fulfill many other desires. By admiring all the colors of the votive candle, and not focusing only on black, we will better understand the reasons for the rapid popularity of the cult of the Holy Death over the past decade.
It was the votive candles of different colors, being the most important element of the cult of the White Girl, that suggested to me the structure of this book. Each color symbolizes some spiritual aspect, the sphere of interaction between the saint and her admirers. For example, a black candle immediately evokes associations with the “dark side” of Santa Muerte - and indeed, they are usually illuminated and placed on the altar to take revenge on enemies, to cause damage - or, on the contrary, to protect against “black magic” and the machinations of ill-wishers . Accordingly, each chapter is named after one of the candles, and explores the aspect of the cult that it symbolizes. At the end of the book, these seven different colors will come together into one, like a seven-color rainbow.
Although this is not the most popular candle in the cult of Saint Death, brown the candle will illuminate the first chapter for us. Adherents of the cult resort to it to develop insight and wisdom, or to gain new knowledge - usually such a candle has a somewhat “earthy” color. It seems that the Argentine San La Muerte spends much more time and effort than Santa Muerte, helping his admirers find lost and stolen things. It seems that Mexicans and Central Americans do not often turn to the help of their Skeleton Saint to find lost items. But when they do resort to its help, the right choice for such a ritual would be a coffee-colored candle. The first chapter examines the origins of Santa Muerte (sometimes quite mysterious) and the history of the development of her cult. How did it happen that the Grim Reaper in female form, this horror of the Western world, became the object of adoration of millions of Latin Americans and Mexicans living in their homeland or in the United States of America? Is Charming mestizo (that is, half Spanish and half indigenous), or is she descended directly from the Aztecs? The wisdom and insight that the brown candle symbolizes will give us the answer to these and other questions.
Unlike the brown ones, white candles in esoteric shops and on vendor stalls sell like hotcakes - after all, they are the ones most often used in public rituals, like those performed by Dona Queta and David Romo. Purity, protection, gratitude and dedication are the most important attributes of a colorless candle. Let us remember that the two most common nicknames of the Bone Lady are associated with whiteness as the absence of color (White Girl and White Sister), and this, coupled with the blue-white bones of her skeleton, makes our second chapter white. The flame of this candle will shed light on beliefs and worship. Based heavily on Catholic rites, the cult of Saint Death boasts many colorful rituals. Having analyzed beliefs - as the sum of the ideas underlying religion - we will understand how much the cult of Holy Death can be considered a new religious movement. Should it be considered a creepy variety of "folk" Catholicism - or is it a relatively new and autonomous religious movement, free from Catholic "anchors"? Perhaps most significantly, the worshiper tries to get the Mighty Lady to do something on his behalf during the ritual, and all these prayers, pilgrimages and vows of devotees activate the supernatural abilities of their saint.
While counters and altars are filled with white candles, it is very rare to find street vendors in online stores and stalls. black candles - and they sell very poorly. Because of their notoriety among the general public as an instrument of black magic and harmful witchcraft, many believers - even those who regularly use black candles - are likely to do so in secret, to protect themselves from prying eyes. However, at many private altars that I have personally visited or seen in photographs - including at crime scenes - black candles were most often found. In any case, black votive candles in Mexico and the United States are perhaps the most unique object of the Santa Muerte cult.
If you want to enlist the help of Saint Death to destroy your enemies, avenge real or imagined grievances, or protect a shipment of cocaine sent to Houston or Atlanta, then offer her a black candle. Raised in the Catholic tradition - regardless of whether they are believers or not - most Mexicans feel much more comfortable making such requests to national saints - after all, officially recognized saints, of course, will refuse to bless a shipment of drugs, or commit another “non-Christian” miracle of the same order. So, the “black” third chapter will be devoted to the connection of Santa Muerte with “crime and punishment.” Particular attention will be paid to its role in the drug wars, which have claimed more than 34,000 lives since Felipe Calderon became Mexico's president in late 2006.
Along with black and white candles, cults have long been used red candles are an equally popular item in Mexico City and the United States. As a researcher, I often encountered surprises during the course of collecting materials. Until a summer trip to Mexico in 2009, I had no idea about the importance that red candles have and the purposes they serve. A lengthy examination of sources, including newspapers, articles, online magazines and communities of faith, booklets and a few academic studies, yielded nothing to indicate Santa Muerte's role as a healer of love suffering, especially for women and girls in Mexico and Central Mexico. America. For example, thirty-two-year-old Rosa, a cleaning lady from Pátzcuaro, in the state of Michoacán, placed a red candle on her home altar in the hope that the White Sister would protect her and her four children from persecution by her ex-husband.
Symbolizing love and passion, red candles burn on altars from Chiapas to Chicago, where jilted lovers and jealous girlfriends invoke the saint (often depicted as a bride) to heal heart wounds or win back a wayward partner. Indeed, the first mentions of The “skeletal saint” in the twentieth century is associated precisely with this aspect of her. In his 1947 book Treasury of Mexican Folklore, Francis Toor gives several prayers to Santa Muerte that mention bad husbands. In Oscar Lewis's classic The Children of Sanchez (1961), a Tepito resident named Marta tells an American anthropologist that her sister Antonia was advised to turn to Saint Death to stop the adultery of Crispin (Antonia's husband). “When Antonia first told me about Crispin’s infidelity, she mentioned the advice to pray to Santa Muerte nine nights in a row at exactly midnight, placing a photograph of her husband and a tallow candle in front of her. They promised that before the ninth night the husband would forget about his passion. I bought for my sister a novena (prayer) from a man who sold them in our area, that’s why I remembered it.”
The prayer that Antonia read was mentioned earlier - it is a request to return the man “to the feet” of the one asking. The fourth chapter of the book is named after the red candle - in it we will consider the role of the Mighty Lady as an assistant in matters of love, especially as a healer of broken hearts (which is relevant mainly for women) and punish those who use magic to evoke strong feelings in them (more typical for men).
In addition to the three main colors dedicated to Santa Muerte gold candles successfully compete with white candles in the fight for second place in sales in stores and kiosks, and together with white ones are most often used in official services, including in the Temple of Dona Queta and the Church of David Romo. The color gold is traditionally associated with money, prosperity and abundance. Due to the economic crisis, which promises low wages, or even the threat of dismissal, since the Great Depression, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Mexicans, at home or in America, have placed golden votive candles before the bony feet of the saint, praying for financial well-being . Many parishioners of Dona Queta, holding golden candles in their hands, ask the Mighty Lady to help them find work.
Saint Death, one of whose epithets is “the giver of work,” is rightfully considered the patroness of small business in Mexico and in some areas of the United States. Thirty-four-year-old Yolanda claims that her Godmother helped her open a hair salon in Mexico City, and even built an altar to the saint there to ensure a constant flow of visitors. Yolanda's gratitude to her patron is so great that she pays $160 for a mariachi band to play in honor of Skinny at the monthly rosary ceremony. Interestingly, the energetic entrepreneur, before turning to Saint Death, asked for blessings from the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe and Saint Jude. Yolanda considers her new patron more reliable than these two. The “golden” fifth chapter not only explores the saint’s role as a business helper and giver of benefits, but also talks about her role in the Mexican economy, where sales of her religious paraphernalia, as well as T-shirts, sweatshirts, and even tennis shoes with her image generate multimillion-dollar profits .
In addition to the financial sphere, Santisima Muerte is often addressed as a divine healer. In my previous work on Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement within Catholicism, I discussed how faith healing drives and explains the popularity of these forms of “spiritual Christianity.” One of the greatest paradoxes of the Santa Muerte cult is that this personification of death is associated with saving lives and healing, and is also endowed with miraculous healing powers. Here, Holy Death appears not as the Grim Reaper, whose scythe reaps a bountiful harvest from human souls, but as the Mother of all doctors, mending broken bones and healing mutilated bodies. The sixth chapter will be purple- after all, this is what ritual candles look like, meaning miraculous healing.
One of the curious paradoxes is the great emphasis in the cult on the healing of the saint by its admirers, with a certain shortage of lavender candles in churches and shops. Perhaps the purple color, as a relatively “new” color, has yet to gain popularity among believers, or those suffering from a miracle cure prefer to resort to a traditional seven-color candle, one of the colors of which is purple. Be that as it may, another purple candle lights up when a poor Mexican living in dirt and poverty prays to Holy Death for a cure or even to save his life.
Responding to the demands of his admirers, today Santa Muerte performs many tasks simultaneously. As if the role of doctor, donor, assistant in matters of the heart, and avenger were not enough for her, she appears before her flock as the personification of the Law. In search of a fair solution to a case in court, or in the event of legal problems arising, believers pose green candles in front of the Powerful Lady (often depicted with the scales of justice in her right hand). However, in the “green” seventh chapter the saint will be considered not as a judge, but as a supernatural protector or lawyer. The highest judge, she is awarded this honor by her admirers for her impartiality. As a divine lawyer, Saint Death is interested in the best outcome of the case for her worshiper, and not in a simple decision of the court, in the spirit of “guilty or not.” In a country where justice and equality before the law are often unattainable luxuries, millions of Mexicans believe that only divine intervention can solve their legal problems. And even if the supernatural patron does not help them win the case, believers are consoled by the thought that sooner or later their offenders will fall under the scythe of the Grim Reaper.
So, this seven-color thick candle perfectly expresses all the many faces of the Skeleton Saint. It is no wonder that these candles (although they are the newest of all those used in rituals), along with red, white and gold, are one of the best-selling ones. Appeared perhaps under the influence of a candle "seven forces"(siete potencias), used in the rituals of Santeria (a religion popular in Cuba, originating in African cults) - and brought to Mexico from outside by Cuban immigrants, this rainbow candle conveys all the incredible power of the Skeleton Saint. While the country is experiencing one of the worst economic crises in the last decade, while violence reigns and a deadly fight against the drug mafia is being waged, many Mexicans are turning to the Godmother to help them in various areas of life. So, let's look at the image of Holy Death in all its richness of colors, without limiting ourselves to just black.
