Methods of Evocation

Santa Muerte, which directly translates to Holy Death or Saint Death, is a Mexican folk saint who is the centerpiece of one of the swiftest growing religions in the Americas, with an estimated twelve million followers across Mexico, the U.S., Central America, and South America. She's a folk saint who claims souls across the world after death but provides great gifts in life if provided with offerings, the most common of which being cigarettes and cigars. Worship surrounding her white form usually surrounds cleansing, her red form around love, and her black form around hexing. She is also oftentimes affectionately referred to as "the Bony Lady" or "Our Lady of the Holy Death". It is also important to note that Santa Muerte is not associated with any form of Satanic worship, contrary to what the Vatican believes.

The origins of her symbolism are cultural and diverse. The common image of her as a skeletal woman with a scythe is directly correlated to the colonization of Mexico by Spain, who brought over images of the grim reaper as a symbol of death. Many associate Santa Muerte with the Aztec death deity Mictecacihuatl, as either directly being her or being a reincarnation of her. The Aztec civilization was primarily concentrated in Central Mexico with some of their most notable religious practices including human sacrifice. In modern-day Mexico, it is common practice to celebrate Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. This combination of cultural influences from past and present makes worshipping a saint of death an undisturbing or even attractive idea, as opposed to the common negative connotation with death in most cultures.

Another part of the appeal of Santa Muerte is from the criminal underworld, whose patrons aren't accepted by the Catholic church. This often results in these people turning to Santa Muerte, who promises to cleanse all of her followers as long as they provide offerings and prayer. Another source of appeal is the want to break free from the ideals of Spain and return to the "glory days" of the culture of the Aztec empire.