Monedas De La Santa Muerte / Coins of Holy Death

The Coins of Holy Death - photo by Arnold Bustillo

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Inspired by the Witch's Runes, I've developed a system of divination based on the imagery of Santa Muerte / death magick. This set includes 13 monedas / coins and one pointer. I store my set in a small bag I call the Santa Muerte's Purse.  To conduct a reading, the coins are thrown and interpreted holistically.  The set you see in the picture here has been drawn onto authentic Mexican pesos, the same kind of pesos you can find in bowls placed at public Santa Muerte altars in Mexico.

How to Read Holy Death's Coins

The Coins of Holy Death can be read anywhere, but Santa Muerte devotees may choose to appeal to the purple aspect of Saint Death, reading the coins in the glow of a purple candle's flame at or near a Santa Muerte altar. A reading mat, about the size of a dinner plate, atop a flat surface, will make reading easier.

The querent (client / person seeking answers) or reader will focus on the question before placing the coins in their hands. They then recite the Coins of Holy Death magick prayer (see below), and then "throw", or drop, the coins over the reading surface.

Next, the reading mat is oriented so "The Pointer" coin points from left to right, from the perspective of the person who threw or dropped the coins. The coins are then read from left to right. If you're not using a reading mat, simply remember to read the coins in the direction of the arrow, starting from one side of the pile to the other.

Only coins that fall face up are read, others are discarded.

If one coin covers or touches another, and BOTH landed face up, then interpret the coins together.

​If one coin covers or touches another, but only ONE landed face up, only interpret the face up coin. Always discard face down coins.

Coins of Holy Death Magick Prayer

Santa Muerte, oh so wise,
open your purse, to open my eyes.
Magick coins in my hand,
reveal the future by where you land.

The Coins of Holy Death - The Meanings
 

The Pointer - 

No significance. Used to orient the reading. This is the ONLY double sided coin - which means the arrow is on both sides. All other coins are one sided

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The Skull - 

Self. Querent. Places emphasis on surrounding energies.

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The Scythe - 

Death. "With the scythe, Holy Death cuts the string of life." End to the old, room for the new.

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The Grave / Tombstone - 

​Gathering. People coming together. Friends and family.

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The Bridge - 

Travel. Journey.

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The Moon - 

Cycles, ebbs and flows. If things are good, then learn to appreciate what you have. If things are bad, then know that it will pass.

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The Eye - 

Intuition. The Third Eye. Internal knowing. The answer within.

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The Flame -

Knowledge. Revelation. Learning. Earthly illumination.

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The Crossroads - 

Decisions to be made. A new direction.

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The Crown - 

Riches. Success. Treasure.

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The Scales - 

Fairness. Justice. Balance. Retribution.

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The Rose - 

Love. Beauty. Sex. Lust.

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The Apple - 

Coming to fruition. Fertility. Birth. Reaping what you sow.

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The Tear - 

Sadness, depression.

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​To learn more about The Coins of Holy Death, check out my book, available on Amazon:
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