Santa Muerte, a religious movement with roots dating back to ancient Aztec culture, currently boasts around 10-12 million followers. Translating to "Holy Death" in English, it has gained popularity, especially in recent years, in North Mexico, Southern United States, and Canada. It's considered one of the fastest-spreading religious movements by some researchers. Also known as the Skull Church or Skull Sect, its full name is Nuestra Senora de la Santa Muerte.
Originally known as Nuestra Senora de la Santa Muerte, but abbreviated as Santa Muerte, this belief centers around a female deity depicted as a cloaked figure holding a scythe, often symbolized as a skull-faced woman. Followers believe in a female saint or folk saint named Saint Death. She's also known by names such as White Lady, Lady of the Night, and Black Lady. Those who adhere to this belief engage in worship through symbols, prayers, and various rituals dedicated to the Saint of Holy Death. Cloaked skull-faced figures hold scythes or spheres. Other associated symbols with Santa Muerte include owls and hourglasses.
One of the significant reasons for Santa Muerte's popularity is its association with the ruthless atrocities committed by Mexican Cartels, which have kept it in the headlines. The relationship between Santa Muerte and the cartels gained notoriety when a famous mafia member, D. Arizmendi Lopez, was arrested in August 1998, and a shrine dedicated to Santa Muerte was found in his home. This led to the moniker "cartel religion" for Santa Muerte. Generally, areas under the influence of Mexican cartels have a significant number of believers in this faith. A temple dedicated to the sect has even been established in Mexico City. However, most practitioners worship in private homes, adorning altars with cocktails, fruits, flowers, and incense surrounded by skull motifs.
While there is no conclusive evidence about the origin of the cult of Holy Death, it is believed to have evolved from the amalgamation of the Aztec underground goddess Mictecacihualt, worshipped in accordance with the beliefs of indigenous Aztec people, and the Catholic Christian faith brought by Spanish conquerors. Some historians speculate it may also be a product of the medieval European tradition of adorning skulls during outbreaks of contagious diseases, coupled with the adoption of Catholic Christian beliefs. Latin America has deep-seated indigenous beliefs in black magic and similar practices, which, when combined with Catholicism, gave rise to movements like Santa Muerte. Its popularity surged globally due to the significant Latin American migration to the U.S. and even Canada.
Another reason for the recent surge in the cult of Holy Death is the claims made by followers that their prayers to Santa Muerte are swiftly answered. It is a known fact that cartel members pray to the skull-faced saint, adorned in their cloaks, to avoid capture and imprisonment.
The essence of the cult of Holy Death revolves around a constant reminder of death. Members often have skull tattoos on their bodies to identify with the sect. In Mexico, the night that bridges October 31st and November 1st is celebrated as the Day of the Dead, with processions featuring cloaked skull figures. Followers pray to Santa Muerte for her protection. Offerings are made to the figurine, adorned with jewelry. However, critics claim that the followers of Santa Muerte engage in devil worship and even human sacrifice. According to most nuns in Mexico, Santa Muerte is seen as the cause of increasing violence and evil in the world. They believe that God punishes people because of their belief in Santa Muerte.
Santa Muerte has become a significant figure in popular culture, featuring in TV series and movies like Dexter and Breaking Bad, which has further contributed to the notoriety of the sect.
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