Cancun, Mexico's premier tourist destination, might be one of the last places one would imagine to have Santa Muerte temples and myriad devotees.
The Goddess of Death Protects Me: A Santa Muerte Devotee in Mexico City
In this interview with a Mexican devotee of Santa Muerte who lives in Mexico City, he tells us about the Goddess of Death that protects him and his tattoos in honour of her.
The Scythe of Santa Muerte Crushing Curses
Santa Muerte came into my life when I needed to remove a curse. The thing with curses is till the time you don't hear it from the horse's mouth or someone betrays them and tells us, their nature is either revealed through divination or intuition.
Unholy Death – Catholic Condemnation of Santa Muerte
According to the Roman Catholic Church, Santa Muerte and the Catholic faith are two distinct beliefs and practices, or one follows the Mexican folk saint of death, or one follows the church. The pope, bishops and priests have stated this already frequently for years now.
Photo-shoot of Santuario de la Santa Muerte in Queretaro, Mexico
In late December 2020 I had the opportunity to visit the most elaborate Santa Muerte temple in the central Mexican state of Queretaro. There is an impressive array of images, many handcrafted. In contrast to the temple in Santa Ana Chapitiro, Michoacan, this one has a more masculine vibe. In fact during my visit I … Continue reading Photo-shoot of Santuario de la Santa Muerte in Queretaro, Mexico
The Materiality of Mother Muerte in Michoacan
The Tangibility of Devotion to Saint Death Photo Essay by Professor R. Andrew Chesnut and Doctor Kate Kingsbury, All photos and text copyrighted. Do not use without permission of authors. Despite the Church's insistence that Santa Muerte is satanic and that her devotees are heretics most Mexican Santa Muerte devotees consider themselves Catholic. They see … Continue reading The Materiality of Mother Muerte in Michoacan
At Death`s Door in Cancun: Meeting Santa Muerte Witch Yuri Mendez
By Anthropologist, Dr. Kate Kingsbury, D.Phil Oxford University. Yuri Mendez is a self-identified witch (bruja) and shaman (curandera) who ten years ago following a dream of Santa Muerte established the largest shrine dedicated to death in Cancun. She describes herself as `bruja de las tres virtudes` or `witch of the three virtues` and works with … Continue reading At Death`s Door in Cancun: Meeting Santa Muerte Witch Yuri Mendez
My Vision of Santa Muerte and the Virgin Mary as Psychopomps
Dreams and visions are powerful portals through which many devotees report communicating with Santa Muerte. Though not a devotee themself, our guest contributor, who prefers to remain anonymous, had a recent vision in which Saint Death, along with the Virgin Mary, rushed to the aid of the dying. - Dr. Andrew Chesnut I saw Holy … Continue reading My Vision of Santa Muerte and the Virgin Mary as Psychopomps
Why Would a Belgian Follow Mexican Folk Saint Santa Muerte?
By Guest Contributor Walter M. C. Walgraeve* Devotion to Santa Muerte has been spreading like wildfire across Latin America and parts of North America so it’s not surprising that it also has made the leap over the ocean and has reached Europe. While probably most devotees here will be of Latin American descent, it is … Continue reading Why Would a Belgian Follow Mexican Folk Saint Santa Muerte?
Santa Muerte – The Mother Who Heals
When I began my research on Santa Muerte in 2009 it didn't occur to me at first to look for devotees in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia. The Latinx population is less than 10% and most are Central American immigrants, not Mexicans. After finding the Skeleton Saint easily in nearby Washington, DC, I decided to … Continue reading Santa Muerte – The Mother Who Heals
