FOLKLORE

The Santa Muerte following is a folk religion that contains verbal, material, and customary folklore. It can have a wide range of beliefs and rituals because it easily incorporates them and they can be tailored to the individual. In similar fashion to Catholic practices and rituals, followers often say prayers for intercession, pray the rosary, and light candles, though these are usually adapted to their following (Bastante and Dickieson 2013, 441). The other aspect of this following revolves around buying products and services from curers (Michalik 2011). Just as Sims and Stephens (2011) state that rituals can “take place in more formalized settings, or the ritual itself creates its own space” (100), the rituals of Santa Muerte can be organized group events or they can be spontaneous from the individual. As Mexico suffers from poverty, drug wars, and death, it isn’t surprising that its citizens choose to engage in this following, considering that research shows that rituals can help with anxiety, stress, and give a sense of control (Powell 2017).

“The magazine contains advertisements by urban curers, offering energetic cleansings (limpias energéticas), Tarot readings, protection against negative influences or help in matters of health, love, money and other personal problems, with Santa Muerte usually serving as the patron saint” (Michalik 2011, 167).