title: Santa Muerte: The History, Rituals, and Magic of Our Lady of the Holy Death
author:  Tracey Rollin 
description: "Do you have a friend in Death? You should and you can with Rollin's new book. Rollin does an amazing, non-judgmental job of relating the stories of Santa Muerte, but also gives the reader the practical goods on how to work with this powerful folk saint combining both traditional and modern ways of working with her. Her personal stories and experiences with St. Death are more often than not entertaining, and the book would give you more than a solid foundation to work with Santa Muerte. The only question you should have is how fast do you want your results?" --<b>Andrieh Vitimus</b>, author of <i>Hands- On Chaos Magic</i> and podcast host of <i>Deeper Down the Rabbit Hole</i><br /><br />"Tracey Rollin does an excellent job of laying out and explaining Santa Muerte. I particularly appreciate how she explores the history and beliefs of Santa Muerte, while balancing the theory with practical magic and suggestions for how people an integrate Santa Muerte into their existing spiritual paths. Her instructions are clear and easy to follow, but also encourage people to discover how to develop their own relationship with Santa Muerte. If you want the authoritative book on Santa Muerte, this is the book to read." --<b>Taylor Ellwood</b>, author of <i>Pop Culture Magic Systems</i><br /><br />"Tracey Rollin's very well written book <i>Santa Muerte: The History, Rituals, and Magic of Our Lady of the Holy Death</i> avoids a dogmatic approach to Santa Muerte. The author, who hails from New Mexico, where Doa Sebastiana, Lady Death, presaged Santa Muerte, incorporates more research on Santa Muerte than other books aimed at devotees." -<b>Professor R. Andrew Chesnut</b>, author of <i>Devoted to Death: Santa Muerte, the Skeleton Saint</i><br /><br />"Tracey Rollin's <i>Santa Muerte: The History, Rituals and Magic of Our Lady of the Holy Death</i> is a serious work dedicated to providing historical insight combined with spiritual application in the ways of the Holy Death. Rollin's book provides sound research and a unique inside perspective into the customs and rituals associated with one of the fastest growing religions in the world. This book brings together two important perspectives of both a historical and magico-religious worldview without alienating either one. A valuable contribution to this area of study." --<b>Tony Kail</b>, author of <i>Santa Muerte: Mexico's Mysterious Saint of Death</i> and <i>A Secret History of Memphis Hoodoo: Rootworkers, Conjurers, and Spirituals</i>
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00001.jpg)  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Introduction
  
  
  
  
  
  To all mortals Death is the final destination and so a force that represents
  the inevitable and the mysterious. In modern western culture, Death is viewed
  as a terrifying force, its personification an aloof and frightening figure
  waiting to cut down the living and harvest their souls. But not all cultures
  view death in such dark ways; in Latin American culture Death has grown to
  become a beloved figure that is not shunned out of fear, but embraced out of
  love. She is Santisima Muerte.
  
  
  
  
  
  Santisima Muerte, or Holy Death, is a controversial figure that has grown in
  prominence over the years. Her history is often quite obscure and the legends
  around her myriad, but today her cult continues to grow in exponential numbers
  as she has become a beloved folk saint. Shunned by the Catholic Church, her
  devotees remain loyal to her as she has transformed not only into the miracle
  saint par excellence, but has also becom