Black cats and Ritual Sacrifice
by Julie Amaro
Connections Language School
La Peñita de Jaltemba
amarojewels@gmail.com
Many of us have heard of superstitions surrounding black cats, in fact they exist in every culture around the world. Some say they’re bad luck, or the companions of witches. In Mexico, cats in general and especially black cats can trace their unpopularity back to the Spanish colonial priests, who believed they were the devil in physical form. The colonial Catholic religion the priests brought from Spain was itself full of superstitions, and was in turn mixed liberally with indigenous spiritual beliefs to create the rich tapestry of religion that exists today.
According to popular belief, the veil between the spirit world and the physical world becomes thin and portals open to allow spirits to visit us in the last days of October and the first few days of November. For many people in Mexico, this is time of celebrating the memory of close family and friends who have passed on and many build alters in their homes to offer comfort to the dear departed during their short visit to the physical world. Typical offerings include white candles, sweets, tamales, a glass of water and flowers, even a mirror and comb or a glass of tequila so they can freshen up after the long journey.
Not all alters are innocent offerings to lost loved ones, however. Some are built in worship of the Niña Blanca, La Santa Muerte. Santa Muerte is a religion that first appeared in the 70’s and has since evolved to adopt elements of Santeria and African religions while retaining its Aztec roots of ritual blood sacrifice and symbolism. Followers of Santa Muerte think of her as the patron saint of lost souls (she forgives the unforgivable) and that sacrifices made to her will bring protection and prosperity to the devotee. It is believed that the color black gives you power against enemies and white provides personal protection.
While most Santa Muerte practitioners are just regular people practicing benign rituals, there are a few that are attracted to the “narcocultura” that she is associated with: the idea that one can exchange a long life for a short but glamorous one, with unlimited wealth and power. For such dramatic favors she requires more and more precious gifts, animal or even human sacrifices. Cats that are entirely black or white are popular targets, and cartel gangs are known to leave the heads of their rivals or bowls of human blood on alters to the Santa Muerte.
The origins of Santa Muerte can be traced to the United States, but it is one of the fastest growing religions in the world and its influence is spreading across Mexico and south to Central America. This is not surprising considering the vast number of disenfranchised people subsisting in poverty both in the States and in Mexico coupled with the religion’s promise of wealth and power. A religion that glorifies violence and personal gain at any cost is certainly disturbing, and it will continue to grow in popularity as the population of people living in poverty grows.
