#145 - Breaking Misconceptions of Santa Muerte with Ed Calderon | Glitch Bottle
Jan 26, 2024
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Former counter-narcotics investigator Ed Calderon discusses the evolving veneration of Santa Muerte and shares deep lessons learned from going public. He breaks misconceptions about Santa Muerte, explores altars and offerings, and delves into the nature and symbolism of Santa Muerte. Calderon also talks about the importance of being present, honoring ancestors, embracing death, and personal development.
The public altar dedicated to Santa Muerte in Mexico City's Tepito barrio marked a milestone in the faith's evolution and brought it into the public consciousness.
Santa Muerte represents a deep connection to death and the duality of life, providing protection and comfort to the marginalized and the lost.
The practice of Santa Muerte is deeply personal and allows for individual interpretation and expression, with no specific codified set of rules or practices.
Approach the practice of Santa Muerte with openness and respect, recognizing its diversity and personal nature, and dispel misconceptions to embrace its true representation of a connection to life, death, and the marginalized.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Santa Muerte Veneration and Public Altars
The veneration of Santa Muerte has evolved over time in Mexico City's Tepito Barrio, where the first public altar dedicated to Santa Muerte was established in the year 2000. This altar, created by Enricata Romero, marked a significant milestone in the public expression of the faith. Prior to this, Santa Muerte was a clandestine, underground practice, only known within certain Catholic churches and indigenous Mexican communities. The public altar in Tepito revealed a deeper understanding of Santa Muerte's significance and helped bring the faith into the public consciousness.
Romero's altar was humble and located in a dangerous neighborhood, but it became a focal point for the growing faith. Unlike other popular altars, Romero did not dictate specific prayers or practices. She embraced a more inclusive approach, allowing individuals to develop their own personal relationships with Santa Muerte. Since then, altars dedicated to Santa Muerte have multiplied throughout Mexico City and even globally, with people from different backgrounds expressing their devotion.
Despite growing acceptance, Santa Muerte still faces opposition, particularly from more conservative Catholics who view it as connected to witchcraft and Satanism. However, practitioners like Ed Calderon emphasize that Santa Muerte is honored by the marginalized, the hopeless, and the lost. It represents a faith practice that provides protection and comfort to those in desperate circumstances. Ed challenges misconceptions and highlights that Santa Muerte is not associated with criminal activity, but rather represents a deep connection to death and the duality of life.
As the faith continues to evolve, it remains grassroots and clandestine. There is no codified set of rules or specific practices. The expression of the faith varies based on personal experiences and beliefs. While there are common elements like statues, candles, tobacco, flowers, and alcohol as offerings, the nature of Santa Muerte devotion is deeply personal and allows for individual interpretation and expression. Altars can be rebuilt using materials like red brick or cinder blocks. Symbolic aspects such as Y-shaped roads or locations facing water or sunset are considered significant in altar placement. Practices like flipping dried flowers upside down or leaving offerings of silver can also be observed.
Overall, the advice is to approach the practice of Santa Muerte with openness and respect, recognizing its diversity and personal nature. Ed Calderon and other practitioners advocate for dispelling misconceptions and embracing the faith for what it truly represents: a connection to life, death, and the marginalized.
Expressing Private Devotion and Creating Personal Altars
Creating a private altar or engaging in a private devotion to La Santa Muerte is a valid and meaningful practice. In the past, people would hide their Santa Muerte prayer cards behind Catholic prayer cards or behind candle labels, emphasizing the clandestine and rebellious nature of the faith. Private devotion can be powerful and personal, and many experienced practitioners do not outwardly display signs of their practice. Finding or constructing an effigy or statue that speaks to you personally is important, and offerings should be heartfelt and manifested through acts of kindness and love.
The Symbolism and Meaning of Colors in Santa Muerte
Colors associated with Santa Muerte can carry different symbolisms and meanings. While there is no specific codified system, some practitioners may attribute certain meanings to colors. For example, white can symbolize purity and can be earned through acts of devotion, while black may be associated with protection in risky situations. However, it is important to note that symbolism can be personal and subjective, and there is no set rule for color associations in Santa Muerte devotion.
The Presence of Santa Muerte in Nature and Offering Practices
Santa Muerte is often seen as a natural element present in everyday life. Some practitioners make offerings in nature as a way to connect with her, such as leaving candles or offerings at sacred sites or places where someone has passed away. These offerings are a way to honor and pay respects to Santa Muerte. The faith practice encompasses personal offerings and acts of kindness, rather than being solely focused on external displays or material offerings.
Preserving the Tradition of Santa Muerte and the Issue of Gatekeeping
There is a concern within the Santa Muerte community about gatekeeping, as some individuals try to claim ownership of the faith tradition or codify its practices. However, Santa Muerte is a universal deity accessible to all, and no one has exclusive ownership or authority over her. The practice of Santa Muerte has evolved and survived over time through personal expressions and experiences, and the wisdom of older practitioners is valuable in preserving authentic aspects of the faith. It is important to understand that Santa Muerte is not about cultural appropriation, but rather a collective, subconscious recognition of a feminine, death-oriented figure that transcends boundaries.
The Power of Being Present
The podcast episode explores the idea that the only eternal thing humans can comprehend is the present moment. The speaker shares a personal experience of a dream where the answer to the question was revealed to be 'now.' Being present allows one to let go of worries about death or the past and embrace the power of the present moment. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being present in various aspects of life, such as relationships, personal practice, and even in the face of adversity.
Honoring Ancestors and Redefining Legacy
The podcast delves into the concept of honoring ancestors and breaking generational curses. The speaker discusses the importance of embodying the person they wanted to show up at their own house during times of loss and grief. By becoming that person, they have the opportunity to impact future generations and create a positive legacy. The speaker highlights the significance of personal growth, self-development, and creating better lives for one's loved ones as a way to redeem the past and break free from negative generational patterns.
The Liberation in Embracing Death
The podcast explores the transformative power of embracing death as an integral part of life. The speaker shares personal experiences of being close to death and witnessing the joy and compassion found in those who are intimately familiar with it. They emphasize the liberating effect of accepting death as a friend rather than a predator, and how it can bring a deep appreciation for life, a sense of purpose, and the ability to find positivity even in dark places. The speaker encourages individuals to face their fears, embrace the paradox of death, and understand that life and death are interconnected and should be acknowledged as such.
How is the veneration of Santa Muerte evolving? In Mexico City’s Tepito barrio, what wisdom does the first public altar dedicated to Santa Muerte reveal to us? Ed Calderon shares the latest trends and deep lessons learned in going public with his veneration of La Santa. Ed has worked in the fields of counter-narcotics, organized crime investigation, and public safety in the northern border region of Mexico for more than a decade. His study into the indigenous Méxican criminal culture, from occult practices to endemic modus operandi have led him to be recognized as one of the world’s preeminent researchers and trainers in the field of personal security that has come out of Mexico. He also answers your Glitch Bottle Patreon listener questions and more!