The Santa Muerte cult could probably best be described as a set of ritual practices offered on behalf a supernatural personification of death. The personification is female, probably because the Spanish word for death, muerte, is feminine and possibly also because this personification is a sort of counterpart to the Virgin of Guadalupe.To believers, the entity exists within the context of Catholic theology and is comparable to other purely supernatural beings, namely archangels. The cult involves prayers, rituals, and offerings, which are given directly to Santa Muerte in expectation of and tailored to the fulfillment of specific requests. These bear some resemblance to other traditions.The origin of the cult is uncertain; it has only been expanding recently. The cult appears to be closely associated with crime, criminals, and those whose lives are directly affected by crime. Criminals seem to identify with Santa Muerte and call upon the saint for protection and power, even when committing crimes. They will adorn themselves with her paraphernalia and render her respect that they do not give to other spiritual entities.Many if not most practitioners seem to consider themselves to be, more or less, good, practicing Catholics. Unlike a conventional saint, Santa Muerte definitely appears to be the object of worship rather than a simple intercessor, which is a significant divergence from Catholic doctrine, although the actual practice is not unheard of in the mysteries associated with other Catholic saint traditions, at least unofficially. The name itself is easily confused in translation. Some have translated Santa Muerte into English as “Saint Death”. Although this conveys the concept accurately, the correct literal translation is “Sacred Death” or “Holy Death”.Some of the nicknames are simply variations, including Santísima Muerte [Most Holy Death or Very Holy Death], Sagrada Muerte [Sacred Death], Querida Muerte [Beloved Death], or, in Argentina, San la Muerte [Saint Death – a Masculine variation] Other labels suggest mystical interpretations of her nature, role, and/or relationship to the devotee, such as Poderosa Señora [Powerful Lady], La Comadre [The Co-Mother – possibly a pun on “Co-Redeemer”], La Madrina [The Godmother – notably used in Mexican prisons], or La Hermana [The Sister].Color itself seems to be very important in the Santa Muerte cult. Statues dressed in particular colors represent certain powers or attributes. Similarly, when a devotee lights a candle, or a combination of candles, to Santa Muerte, the color of the candle used corresponds to the desired result. Gold represents economic power, success, and money. Devotees maintain that this color is suited for businessmen and merchants. The natural bone color is believed to promote peace and harmony, particularly among neighbors, and is intended for homes and businesses. The color red is associated with love and passion, as well as emotional stability; it is recommended for couples. White represents purification and defense against negative energy, particularly in situations when there is envy among relatives. Blue is used to help improve mental concentration. Green is the color used to help people with legal problems or matters of justice; it is the color used most often by lawyers. Yellow is the color used for healing from diseases. It is frequently used by drug addicts and alcoholics who are undergoing rehabilitation. The color purple also is purported to bring health. Black represents complete protection, particularly against black magic and hostile spirits associated with Santeria, Palo Mayombe, or voodoo. Black also is the color used by sorcerers to cause harm to their enemies.Other aspects of Santa Muerte iconography have significance as well. Devotees of the saint interpret the sickle, often carried in the right hand, to represent justice, while the globe, often in the left hand, represents dominion over the world. Sometimes, an image of Santa Muerte is holding an ear of corn, which apparently represents generosity. Such symbols are very useful for identifying cult iconography. Whereas the image of the Grim Reaper is a relatively common image and in and of itself does not signify any cult association, when the Death figure is displayed with the ear of corn, a crown, or possibly a globe or scale, it does indicate a Santa Muerte association. The icon itself can come in many forms. Devotees wear small amulets and medals, commonly called milagros in Mexico. They also keep statues and statuettes for offerings. These practices seem to be more or less reminiscent of Catholic saint worship. However, unlike the case with mainstream Catholic practices, devotees of Santa Muerte, particularly incarcerated cult practitioners, will sometimes take the additional step of having the icon tattooed onto their bodies.[ This has been referred to as an offering of skin. In some cases, this is an image of Santa Muerte; in others, it seems to be the entire amulet that is tattooed.[ Such an application is not merely innovative; it is telling. While tattooing has become a mainstream practice in much of North America even among the middle class, in Latin America, tattoos remain the hallmarks of criminal affiliation and imprisonment.The beliefs associated with the cult appear to be relatively consistent. Santa Muerte devotees attend to their practice by lighting candles and leaving offerings while reciting prayers, often ritual prayers, in hopes of receiving favors. Such offerings draw upon Christian symbolism. Tequila, for example is a representation of the chalice of Christ. An apple represents original sin. There appears to be a tradition about what sorts of offerings are appropriate. Santa Muerte has been described as jealous about what offerings are given to her. However, gifts that are somehow personal or in keeping with other religious offerings are considered acceptable. Offerings are not given willy-nilly; there is a recipe and ritual associated with each offering, so as to ensure the granting of the desired effect.Appropriate offerings can include money, flowers, candy, alcohol, tobacco, fruits, water, bread, or incense. Money is a preferred offering, particularly in businesses, when the profits from the first sale of the day are given. Flowers of various types are acceptable, but should be fresh. White roses are normally used for healing or health and are considered to be the preferred form. Red roses are used for love. Candy offerings are also a matter of personal preference, although chocolate is common, particularly for love, and honey is considered to be a standard offering. Wines and liquors are common offerings, especially tequila, rum, and sherry, as well as dark beer; these are usually served in glass bottles or cups but not plastic. Cigars and cigarettes are among the most preferred offerings; they should be lit. Smoke blown over the image is used to purify the altar. Fresh fruit is also used as an offering. Red apples are the commonest offering but other fruits are often left. The color of the fruit can correspond to the benefit sought, in a way comparable to candles. Water is considered to be a crucial offering and should be clear and still, preferably from a tap. Bread is also offered frequently, as is incense. In the case of incense, different types of incense are used for different ends, in varieties that are sold by vendors of esoteric commodities.Just as the offerings are presented in a formulaic manner, the prayers themselves are often highly structured, in a format that resembles Christian collects. Some prayers even refer to the Trinity: “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, made of pure light, I implore you to grant me the favors I should request of you until the final day, hour, and moment at which your divine majesty orders me to come before your presence. Desired Death of my heart, do not abandon me from your protection.”Similarities also manifest in the attempt at comprehensiveness that occurs in prayers. This occurs in protection prayers: “Oh, Most Santa Muerte, I call upon you so that, through your image, you may free me from all dangers, whether [these dangers] are physical or from witchcraft, and that through this sacred flame you might purify my body from all charms and curses and that you also bring love, peace, and abundance. So be it.” It also occurs in prayers for success and wealth: “Desired Death of my heart, do not abandon me from [your] protection and I ask your blessing on this devotee of yours and that also you bring success, bring personal and economic prosperity, and take from me all natural or caused disease. So be it.” Of further interest, the ending “so be it” is a translation of the traditional Christian prayer ending, “Amen”.The formula is also applied to curses: “Death of my heart, do not abandon me from your protection and do not permit (name of enemy) a single moment of peace. Molest him each moment, mortify him and worry him so that he always thinks about me and does what I want.”Some phrases to understand:El poder de las tres muertes = The power of the three deathsLa mano de la muerte: para que se cumplan nuestros más caros anhelos = The hand of death: to fulfill the most dear yearningsRitual para alejar a las malas amistades de nuestra pareja = Ritual to send away bad friendships from our partnerRitual contra la magia negra = Ritual against black magicRitual para alejar un amante = Ritual to send away a loverRitual para alejar a los novios = Ritual to send away fiancésPara que tu pareja te ayude económicamente = So that your partner helps you economicallyPara que no entren chismes o nertía negative en tu casa o negocio = So that gossip or negative energy does not enter your home or businessVelación a la Santa Muerte para que nos paguen una deuda = Prayer to Santa Muerte so that a debt is paid to usRitual para socorrer a quienes estan presos = Ritual to comfort those in prisonLa balanza de la justicia: ritual para resolver problemas legales = The balance of justice: ritual to resolve legal problemsRitual para quienes serán sometidos a una intervención quirúrgica = Ritual for those who will undergo surgeryBálsamo de la Santa Muerte para que marche bien tu negocio = Balsam of Santa Muerte so that your business does wellRitual para incrementar las ventas en tu negocio = Ritual to increase sales in your businessRitual para limpiar tu dinero = Ritual to clean your moneyTres recetas sencillas para obtener dinero = Three simple prescriptions to obtain moneyRitual del chocolate para dominar al amante, novio o esposo = Ritual of chocolate to dominate your lover, fiancé or spouseBaño de la Santa Muerte para el amor = Bath of Santa Muerte for loveNovena para ligar a una persona = Novena to bind a personPara un amor difícil = For a difficult loveAmuleto de la Santa Muerte para tu automóvil = Amulet of Santa Muerte for your automobile (used for protection when buying a vehicle, when suffering frequent vehicle problems, or suffering accidents, or when vehicle is jinxed)Para retirar al mal vecino = To send away a bad neighborRitual para que se alejen las malas amistades de nuestros hijos = Ritual to send away bad friends of your childrenOtro ritual para alejar malas amistades = Another Ritual to send away bad friendsVelación a la Santa Muerte para que nuestros hijos no abandonen los estudios = Prayer to Santa Muerte so that our children do not abandon their studiesVelación para que un matrimonio no se realice = Prayer so that a marriage does not happenThe cult is associated with indigenous peoples, blending Catholic and pagan beliefs. The cult is associated with people on the fringe of Mexican society: slaves, indigenous peoples, the poor, and criminals.If Santa Muerte is associated with one crime in particular, it seems to be kidnapping. In addition to the major drug cartels, the cult also seems to have reached the infamous Latin American youth gangs. Some criminals seem to treat Santa Muerte with a respect that they do not extend to other religious figures.Illegal migrants have been praying to Santa Muerte, carrying images of Santa Muerte in their clothing and giving thanks to her for their crossing.[ It is through these illegal migrants that Santa Muerte seems to be spreading to the U.SThe Santa Muerte cult is anti-establishment and appears to glorify criminal behavior. Although not all members of the cult are criminals, all live an existence that is dominated by crime. The cult seems to be linked closely to prisons, prisoners, and family members of prisoners. It is also associated with at least two organized criminal groups – the Gulf Cartel and the Mara Salvatrucha. Although it does not appear that most practitioners would commit crimes on behalf of the cult, some criminals might use it as an impetus to commit a crime or to increase the scale and violence of their crimes. Furthermore, because of the inherent danger in crime, the invocation of death itself as patron has a manifest appeal.Although not all Santa Muerte cult members are criminals themselves, it would be misleading to describe them as independent of crime. In most cases, if they are not criminals they are people whose lives are touched, if not dominated by crime. If not their own crimes the of family members, neighbors, or people with whom they interact daily.People give numerous reasons for giving offerings to Santa Muerte. Some still consider themselves Catholic. Some say that they are disillusioned with traditional Catholicism. Others say that Santa Muerte has granted miracles and favors that other saints have not. Still others claim that they find Santa Muerte more welcoming because she does not distinguish between good and evil practitioners.