Santa Muerte Death Magick: Prayers and Rituals From Where Life Meets Death
Digital Web Book by Arnold Bustillo
Buy the paperback at https://amzn.to/3BIeTTq
Digital Web Book by Arnold Bustillo
Buy the paperback at https://amzn.to/3BIeTTq
Day of the Dead Celebration
Primary Use
A three day petition ritual for Santa Muerte devotees to mark the three days from October 31st to November 2nd, which have, in modern Mexico, become a time to celebrate the dead and honor Death itself. Technically, November 2nd is the Day of the Dead, but all three days have become a time of honoring Death. This ritual, celebrated across three days, and created specifically for devotees of Santa Muerte, is intended to celebrate specific spirits of the departed who we either knew or admired. Because it is impossible to celebrate Death without being reminded about the finite nature of life and the experiences and relationships that make life worth living, this ritual also petitions Santa Muerte to bless us and the loved ones still with us.
Feel free to adapt the ritual and perform it all on a single day, if you cannot petition across all three days. You may also adapt the prayers using the method outlined in my book, Santa Muerte Prayer Magick, if you are unable to erect an altar as described below.
You Will Need
Notes
The three days between October 31st and November 2nd have a very specific history in what is today called Mexico - the place which I recognize as the cradle of modern Santa Muerte devotion - but this book is not a history book. If you want to learn more about how these three days became associated with the dead, I recommend you seek that knowledge independently. The petition that follows is a new creation, designed specifically for modern devotees of Santa Muerte, who wish to recognize these three days as a period for celebrating Death. You can take this ritual for what it is, or not at all.
Preparations
You may prepare your Day of the Dead altar at any time before the start of the three days prescribed here. Like a Christmas tree in December, a Day of the Dead altar might stay up for several weeks. You may erect a special altar just for these celebrations, or you may decorate your regular Santa Muerte altar.
First, arrange to your liking the artifacts of the dead and seasonal decorations upon your altar. You can be as reserved or as creative as you want. Just as every relationship with Santa Muerte is unique, so too is every altar that celebrates Death. Place the three candles, black, white, and red, on the altar.
On October 31st
On the first day of death celebrations, on October 31st, often called Halloween in the modern day, light the black candle upon your altar, and recite the following prayer:
"Santa Muerte, she who brings,
Death to all us living things,
On this day, we remember,
All the ones who crossed over.
As they have passed, so shall we,
When you choose to make it be.
With these words I light a flame,
Under Death, we're all the same."
On this day, with the lighting of this first candle, reflect on the universality of death. Death is a fact of life which we must all experience - it is not a punishment, or anything to be feared.
OPTIONAL - At your altar, or with the altar in view, write a letter to a loved one who has passed away. Use the flame from the burning black candle to light the letter on fire, then let the letter burn in a fire safe cauldron / burn bowl. Ensure the ashes are fully extinguished, then sprinkle the ashes over the Earth, or into the air.
On November 1st
On the second day of death celebrations, November 1st, commonly referred to as All Saints Day, light the white candle upon your altar, and recite the following prayer:
"Holy Death, who brings the end,
Luck and blessings do now send.
By your power I'm still here,
Thankful for my given years.
Keep me safe, and guard me strong,
In your hands, my life belongs.
Struggle as I may on Earth,
The grace you show, gives me worth."
On this day, with the lighting of this second candle, reflect on the goals and accomplishments you have achieved in your own life, and on the struggles which you have overcome. Recognize that you are not dead yet, and that there is still time to pursue your goals. What has not killed you has only made you stronger, and has prepared you for the future. The Santa Muerte does not promise an easy life, but by the power of Death, even the most difficult struggles must come to an end.
OPTIONAL - At your altar, or with the altar in view, write on a piece of paper one to three goals you yourself would like to achieve in the year ahead. Use the flame from the burning white candle to light the paper on fire, then let the paper burn in a fire safe cauldron / burn bowl. Ensure the ashes are fully extinguished, then sprinkle the ashes over the Earth, or into the air.
On November 2nd
On the third day of death celebrations November 2nd, commonly called the Day of the Dead, light the red candle upon your altar, and recite the following prayer:
"Magick Saint, my Holy Death,
Hear the words upon my breath.
Thank you for the love you give,
And the life you've let me live.
Bless the ones for whom I care,
Bless my loved ones with this prayer,
Wield for us your magick scythe,
In your name, may we all thrive."
On this day, with the lighting of this third candle, reflect on how special your loved ones have made your life. Though life is finite and must eventually come to an end, it is the relationships we experience which make life so special.
OPTIONAL - At your altar, or with the altar in view, write on a piece of paper one to three blessings which you would like bestowed on your loved ones, individually or as a group. Use the flame from the burning red candle to light the paper on fire, then let the paper burn in a fire safe cauldron / burn bowl. Ensure the ashes are fully extinguished, then sprinkle the ashes over the Earth, or into the air.
Closing
Allow the candles to burn to completion on your altar. Since your Santa Muerte altar is technically an altar to the dead, you can leave your artifacts of the dead on the altar for as long as you like. The seasonal decorations can be rotated off your altar as the seasonal celebrations come to a close.
A three day petition ritual for Santa Muerte devotees to mark the three days from October 31st to November 2nd, which have, in modern Mexico, become a time to celebrate the dead and honor Death itself. Technically, November 2nd is the Day of the Dead, but all three days have become a time of honoring Death. This ritual, celebrated across three days, and created specifically for devotees of Santa Muerte, is intended to celebrate specific spirits of the departed who we either knew or admired. Because it is impossible to celebrate Death without being reminded about the finite nature of life and the experiences and relationships that make life worth living, this ritual also petitions Santa Muerte to bless us and the loved ones still with us.
Feel free to adapt the ritual and perform it all on a single day, if you cannot petition across all three days. You may also adapt the prayers using the method outlined in my book, Santa Muerte Prayer Magick, if you are unable to erect an altar as described below.
You Will Need
- Day of the Dead Altar Space - to serve as the focal point for Day of the Dead celebrations. May be as small or as large as you want.
- Artifacts of the Dead - May include pictures of loved ones who have passed on, pictures of heroes / role models who have passed on, and / or items once owned by those who have passed on, such as a piece of jewelry, an often-worn baseball hat, or a favorite toy. If you are aware of any favorite foods, drinks, or vices of the deceased you want to celebrate, you can incorporate representations of those as well.
- Seasonal Decorations - from pumpkins and gourds to figurines of black cats and witches in pointy hats. Arrange to your liking.
- 1 Black Offering Candle - to appeal to the Black Cloaked Santa Muerte, which is most commonly associated with the end of life.
- 1 White Offering Candle - to appeal to the White Cloaked Santa Muerte, to encourage good luck and harmony during this time of remembrance.
- 1 Red Offering Candle - to appeal to the Red Cloaked Santa Muerte, to encourage a loving energy between the living and the dead, as well as among the living who are still with us.
- OPTIONAL - Pen and paper, for the optional writing steps listed below.
- OPTIONAL - Cauldron, or fire safe bowl, for the optional writing steps listed below.
Notes
The three days between October 31st and November 2nd have a very specific history in what is today called Mexico - the place which I recognize as the cradle of modern Santa Muerte devotion - but this book is not a history book. If you want to learn more about how these three days became associated with the dead, I recommend you seek that knowledge independently. The petition that follows is a new creation, designed specifically for modern devotees of Santa Muerte, who wish to recognize these three days as a period for celebrating Death. You can take this ritual for what it is, or not at all.
Preparations
You may prepare your Day of the Dead altar at any time before the start of the three days prescribed here. Like a Christmas tree in December, a Day of the Dead altar might stay up for several weeks. You may erect a special altar just for these celebrations, or you may decorate your regular Santa Muerte altar.
First, arrange to your liking the artifacts of the dead and seasonal decorations upon your altar. You can be as reserved or as creative as you want. Just as every relationship with Santa Muerte is unique, so too is every altar that celebrates Death. Place the three candles, black, white, and red, on the altar.
On October 31st
On the first day of death celebrations, on October 31st, often called Halloween in the modern day, light the black candle upon your altar, and recite the following prayer:
"Santa Muerte, she who brings,
Death to all us living things,
On this day, we remember,
All the ones who crossed over.
As they have passed, so shall we,
When you choose to make it be.
With these words I light a flame,
Under Death, we're all the same."
On this day, with the lighting of this first candle, reflect on the universality of death. Death is a fact of life which we must all experience - it is not a punishment, or anything to be feared.
OPTIONAL - At your altar, or with the altar in view, write a letter to a loved one who has passed away. Use the flame from the burning black candle to light the letter on fire, then let the letter burn in a fire safe cauldron / burn bowl. Ensure the ashes are fully extinguished, then sprinkle the ashes over the Earth, or into the air.
On November 1st
On the second day of death celebrations, November 1st, commonly referred to as All Saints Day, light the white candle upon your altar, and recite the following prayer:
"Holy Death, who brings the end,
Luck and blessings do now send.
By your power I'm still here,
Thankful for my given years.
Keep me safe, and guard me strong,
In your hands, my life belongs.
Struggle as I may on Earth,
The grace you show, gives me worth."
On this day, with the lighting of this second candle, reflect on the goals and accomplishments you have achieved in your own life, and on the struggles which you have overcome. Recognize that you are not dead yet, and that there is still time to pursue your goals. What has not killed you has only made you stronger, and has prepared you for the future. The Santa Muerte does not promise an easy life, but by the power of Death, even the most difficult struggles must come to an end.
OPTIONAL - At your altar, or with the altar in view, write on a piece of paper one to three goals you yourself would like to achieve in the year ahead. Use the flame from the burning white candle to light the paper on fire, then let the paper burn in a fire safe cauldron / burn bowl. Ensure the ashes are fully extinguished, then sprinkle the ashes over the Earth, or into the air.
On November 2nd
On the third day of death celebrations November 2nd, commonly called the Day of the Dead, light the red candle upon your altar, and recite the following prayer:
"Magick Saint, my Holy Death,
Hear the words upon my breath.
Thank you for the love you give,
And the life you've let me live.
Bless the ones for whom I care,
Bless my loved ones with this prayer,
Wield for us your magick scythe,
In your name, may we all thrive."
On this day, with the lighting of this third candle, reflect on how special your loved ones have made your life. Though life is finite and must eventually come to an end, it is the relationships we experience which make life so special.
OPTIONAL - At your altar, or with the altar in view, write on a piece of paper one to three blessings which you would like bestowed on your loved ones, individually or as a group. Use the flame from the burning red candle to light the paper on fire, then let the paper burn in a fire safe cauldron / burn bowl. Ensure the ashes are fully extinguished, then sprinkle the ashes over the Earth, or into the air.
Closing
Allow the candles to burn to completion on your altar. Since your Santa Muerte altar is technically an altar to the dead, you can leave your artifacts of the dead on the altar for as long as you like. The seasonal decorations can be rotated off your altar as the seasonal celebrations come to a close.