Sowing and Reaping with Santa Muerte

By guest contributor Lindsay K*

All of life is built of death and sacrifice. The ground beneath our feet, water we drink, the food we eat, the air we breathe. All goes through a cycle of transformation, something is lost to become something new. It is always good to be thoughtful and mindful when we petition for something of the implications it may have. In specific situations in gaining  a better job position, for example, another must inevitably lose it, same with a lover and in serious circumstances as in an abuser or stalker it is possible that actual death may be the outcome for us to move forward. 

Less intensity in the opening of a new path may mean another road may be closed or circumvented. We ask for things to make our lives better and wishes may be granted because beings on the outside that we have grown attached to  wish to see us progress on our personal spiritual journey which for us means certain material needs being met. It is hard to reach for spiritual heights when you are hungry, scared, or desperate. All of this is without judgment for it is neither good nor evil for all things strive. Our inherently limited human condition does not give us insight into all outcomes of our choices and it would be mad to try to contemplate it. 

That being said, it is also wise to also accept responsibility for what we can when we ask for things  and word petitions carefully. We could always add an addendum ‘that may so and so find something better ‘. If we know we are taking, we must take the responsibility for that and maybe pay it forward in another way because that is what death in of itself is. Harvest today so we may plant crops for tomorrow. 

When we eat the fruit or flesh of another to sustain ourselves it is good to give a word of thanks for the sacrifice of their life or the potential of what could have been and acknowledge the loss. The more we accept responsibility for our actions the more aware of our position we become. In turn, we gain more understanding of everything around us, and we grow not only as individuals but closer to our patrons who guide us. Santa Muerte carries many blessings and burdens, and we cannot favor learning about one aspect over the other if we wish to understand the whole. 

One of the most controversial issues when it comes to Santa Muerte is her image as a narco-saint. There are many avid devotees who are very quick to distance her from cartels and their horrific actions. This is very natural as these gangs do awful things and create much suffering. Affiliation with such individuals does not place her in a good light, especially when she is much beloved by many law-abiding devotees and has helped so many who pray to her. This is where she in her position as the Grim Reapress sees the human condition in a way that we often cannot. Violence in its many forms is a part of the human experience across all cultures and races, it has many underpinnings that stem from a variety of sources and she cannot condemn one form over another. 

Those who show full acceptance of death in both bringing it and being prepared to die pay her homage for she is the warrior who wins all battles. She accepts us as we are for who we are, and she understands our limitations. We are all walking different paths, each of us central to our own universe with our own particular needs, challenges and hardships. She can be just as harsh as she can be kind depending on the lessons we need to learn. She guides us on our way and helps us, but she will not walk the path for us as we steadily advance to meet her. Santa Muerte is the ultimate reality, the inevitable truth we must all face but what happens next and what we leave behind is entirely up to us. Memento mori.

*Santa Muerte randomly entered my life five years ago and expressed that she would like me to be a devotee. I initially said no, as there were several patrons I was working with, but she does not take no for an answer. I have come to work with her more in her guise as the Aztec goddess Mictecacihuatl rather than the Catholic folk saint. Alongside her, I work with Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec Lord of Mictlan. In occult circles I am a Goes with over fifteen years experience with a primary focus on working with the deceased and Chthonic entities, with a recent inclination towards Thai occultism. I am assisted by several ghosts who help create the illusion that I am a well-organized individual and keep me on a higher, more disciplined path. Presently, I work in the death-care industry as a funeral professional by assisting both the living and the dead in helping to facilitate their grief by creating meaningful memorial services that bring both comfort and closure.