The Coins of Holy Death: A Tool of Divination and Magick for Santa Muerte Devotees
Digital Web Book by Arnold Bustillo
Digital Web Book by Arnold Bustillo
The Symbols
The following symbols represent the 14 total symbols of the Coins of Holy Death. The first 13 symbols that follow should be drawn onto only one side of its respective coin. The 14th symbol, which is a simple arrow symbol, should appear on both sides of its respective coin.
1 - The Skull: This symbol represents the self, and places emphasis on surrounding coins. The coin(s) that appear(s) closest to The Skull will indicate the force(s) which is / are having the greatest influence over your life at the moment.
1 - The Skull: This symbol represents the self, and places emphasis on surrounding coins. The coin(s) that appear(s) closest to The Skull will indicate the force(s) which is / are having the greatest influence over your life at the moment.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn outline of a skull. The image of the skull consists of two black circles representing empty eye sockets, a black triangle representing an empty nasal cavity, and vertical lines representing the teeth of the skull.
2 - The Scythe: It is said that “With the scythe, Holy Death cuts the string of life.” This symbol represents death, or a new beginning. Out with the old, and in with the new.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn outline of a scythe. The scythe consists of a long handle topped with a long curved blade.
3 - The Grave: This coin represents a gathering, coming together, friends and family, or some kind of organization.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn outline of a headstone. The image features the shape of a headstone, across which the letters R I P appear.
4 - The Bridge: A coin representing travel, or a journey. Perhaps a physical journey, but may also represent a spiritual journey of emotional growth.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn outline of a bridge. The image features a vertical line on the left side of the coin's surface, a vertical line on the right side of the coin's surface, and two curved lines stretching across the coin's surface to connect and bridge the gap between the two vertical lines.
5 - The Moon: This coin represents the cycles of life - the ebb and flow of the good and the bad. When this coin appears in a reading, you can expect a change in direction coming soon. If things are good, then this coin is a reminder to appreciate what you have, because even good things must come to an end. If things are bad, then take comfort in the fact that nothing lasts forever, not even our biggest challenges or most difficult struggles.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn outline of a moon. The image features the shape of a crescent moon pointing to the right side of the coin.
6 - The Eye: Representing intuition, internal knowing, and the third eye. The answers you seek are probably already known within yourself. This coin represents trusting your instincts and following your intuition.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn outline of an eye. The image features the shape of a human eye, wide open, with four lines representing rays or lashes above the eye, and four lines representing the same under the eye.
7 - The Flame: The symbol of knowledge, revelation, and illumination. Expect to learn something you did not know before, or for secrets to be revealed.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn outline of a fire. The image features two crossed lines at the bottom of the coin, with the shape of a flame emerging from where the two crossed lines intersect.
8 - The Crossroads: There is a decision to be made when this coin appears in a reading. You are at the beginning of a new chapter in your life, but you must have the courage to take the first steps down your chosen path.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn outline of a crossroads. The image features one vertical line and one horizontal line that intersect with eachother at the center of the coin.
9 - The Crown: A symbol of material success, riches, and treasure.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn outline of a crown. The image of the crown features four points, four jewels or stones adorning each point, and a straight or pointed ornament emerging from the center of the crown.
10 - The Scales of Justice: The Santa Muerte is often called “The Great Equalizer”, because death treats us all the same, and none of us get special treatment. This coin symbolizes balance and fairness. A sign of wrongs being made right, or retribution being delivered.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn outline of the scales of justice. The image features a set of scales that are in perfect balance.
11 - The Rose: This coin represents close relationships, which may include romantic, familial, and platonic relationships.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn outline of a rose. The image features the blooming bulb of a rose.
12 - The Apple: A symbol of fruit, to represent things coming to fruition, or the bearing of fruit. In a reading, this coin represents reaping what you sow, or getting what you have been after. It could also represent fertility and birth.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn outline of an apple. The image features the outline of an apple which also features a stem and leaf emerging from the top of the apple.
13 - The Tear: The only inherently negative coin in the set, this coin represents sadness, depression, or things turning sour.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn outline of a single tear drop. The image features the shape of a single drop of water with a narrow top and wide bottom.
14 - The Pointer: This is the only double sided coin in the whole set. It has no significance, and it is only used to orient the reading. When this coin appears pointing to the right, then the coins should be read from left to right. When this coin appears pointing north, then the coins should be read from south to north.
Accessibility Caption: This image displays a Mexican peso coin which has been marked by the hand-drawn shape of an arrow. The arrow is drawn on the coin so it appears to be pointing to the top of the coin, or to the coin's 12 o'clock position.