Some images of the Santa Muerte may be found with different
symbols, holding different items in her hands or including different objects at
her feet. A common image is of Santa
Muerte carrying a scythe and a world globe.
The following are the most common symbols.
The Scythe…
The scythe or sickle has several meanings; first it is
symbolic of endings. This doesn’t
necessarily meaning the ending of a lifespan, although in certain conditions it
is a symbol of death itself. It can also
mean the ending of a time period, a routine, a dispute, an adventure, a
relationship, etc... Endings come in
many forms. Santa Muerte uses her scythe
to cut away a persons link to something.
It is also symbolic of death since its believed by her followers that
when a persons time is up she is the one who comes to escort the soul into the
next existence. In this instance her
scythe cuts the remaining ties to our worldly life. The scythe is also a symbol of harvest,
prosperity, and hope. It can be said
that the scythe she holds is a symbol of harvesting our dreams and
desires. A sign of a persons request
made to her will flourish, grow, and manifest.
It cuts away obstacles that hold a person from making progress and
clears a path for guidance. In addition,
the scythe can symbolize power and strength.
This can be in many forms. It can
symbolize the power and strength that Santa Muerte herself carries over all
humans and over her realm of the dead.
It can also indicate power and strength in a person’s spellwork with
Santa Muerte, or power and strength over enemies.
The World Globe…
The world globe represents Santa Muerte’s power over the
entire world. She is not held back or
limited to whom she can rule. She will
eventually claim everyone living on earth.
Santa Muerte is not limited to location or held back by time or
space. She can claim judgment at any
given moment. There are no
boundaries. It’s believed that after
God, death (Santa Muerte) is the most powerful figure in the world, since
without death there is no life, there is no existence. The globe is an indication that Santa Muerte
rules over all race, religion, culture, and belief.....she’s just known by
other names....but most, if not all, religions have a ruler over death. Here, we call her Santa Muerte.
The Owl…
The owl is symbolic of darkness, nighttime, and keen
vision. Santa Muerte’s owl companion
indicates powerful guidance for those who ask.
Many people take their problems and questions to Santa Muerte because
they seek the knowledge and a solution....an answer to their blindness. Blindness because they “see” no
solution. The owl’s sharp vision offers
the light a person needs to overcome blindness.
It guides a person to solution and success. The owl is also connected to great wisdom and
intelligence, hence the term “that wise old owl”. Santa Muerte’s owl companion is her
messenger. Oftentimes a person who works
with Santa Muerte will have visions of an owl through dreams. These dreams are commonly discovered to
contain important messages Santa Muerte wishes to share with one of her
followers. Owls have also been seen
during waking hours as well or the hoot of an owl, although it is not visible,
can be heard.
The Hourglass…
The hourglass, or sandglass, symbolizes the hands of
time. Each grain of sand is a moment of
time itself. Each grain that her
hourglass contains is indication of a person’s lifespan. When the hourglass is empty, life on earth is
over. At the same time death is a
continuation of life. This continuation
can be in another realm or again here on earth.
Some people believe that when a person gets a calling from Santa Muerte
each gain of sand in their hourglass are actually tiny microscopic skull and
pieces of bone. The hourglass also
symbolizes patience. Ask and wait. People who ritually work with Santa Muerte
first must give before receiving her gifts.
Giving comes in the form of the altar, candles, prayer, and
offerings. Once these are made the
person waits for her to answer. Patience
pays off. Santa Muerte’s hourglass is
also connected to time travel. Past,
present, and future. She can teach
divination to those who she feels are deserving of the knowledge. She can answer questions presented to her
concerning a person’s life or the history of a place. Any oracle can be dedicated to her in order
to receive her guidance in how to most beneficially use it.
The Lamp…
The lamp represents a reflection of her...her presence, her
help, her existence, her guidance. With
her lamp she lights the path of those who follow her and those who work with
her. It lights up a person’s direction
and/or mental capacity, giving the person a more expanded train of
thought. New ideas, new insights, and
deeper levels of clarity.
The Cloak or Robe…
The cloak. Most commonly Santa Muerte wears a long hooded
cloak which extends to her feet, much like the one the Virgin of Guadalupe
wears. It drapes over her boney frame
covering almost all of her with the exception of her face, hands, feet, and sometimes
the lower half of her legs. Her cloak is
symbolic of the protection she extends to her devotees. She opens her cloak wide and covers the
person with it to keep them safe from whatever it is they need protection from. A person can have just one single white
statue of Santa Muerte and change the color of her cloak according to the work
being done. The basic colors for cloaks
are red, white, and black but other colors can be made as well. There are several places that sell cloaks or
robes already made for Santa Muerte but these are usually very expensive. If you are handy with a sewing machine they
can be made very inexpensively at home.
Some women make her a wedding gown which is draped over the statue when ritually
working with her for marriage and commitment purposes. Other colors that may serve well are blue,
purple, gold, and brown. Easily dress
her in different robes. This keeps from
having to purchase different color statues for related spellwork.
For more information on Santa Muerte check out my online course at http://curiouscurandera.com/acatalog/SantaMuerteCourse.html
For more information on Santa Muerte check out my online course at http://curiouscurandera.com/acatalog/SantaMuerteCourse.html
