To La Santa Muerte Verde, the Conclusion of My Public Novena

Tonight is Christmas Eve for the Eastern Orthodox faithful whose churches adhere to the older Julian Calendar of reckoning the liturgical year. For my Serbian parents, the Advent fast is still being observed on this curiously named Badnjak Veće (the Night of the Oak Yule Log), and while there’s a sense of anticipation for the Nativity feast, tonight marks one more night of deprivation and meditation. Similarly, the offerings I am planning to give to La Santa Muerte Verde for tonight’s conclusion of my nine-night public devotional series of prayers to Her (I just know She’s going to love Serbian-style roast pork and our signature alcoholic beverage of heated rakija!) are going to have to wait until the morning light. The items are assembled, but shrouded with a white veil before my main altar to all aspects/robes of La Santísima. It’s a fitting way to contemplate the Mystery of the Bony Lady: Her energies and blessings on Her devotees are omnipresent, but only revealed at the proper time.

To La Santa Muerte Verde, an 8th Night of Praise

La Santa Muerte Verde can be petitioned for matters of justice both personal and collective, from winning a court case or settling other legal disputes to upholding Cosmic Order. In that sense, She is very much on the same frequency as the Egyptian Goddess Ma’at. Matters of social justice in this country that have been brought to the forefront of public consciousness (events from last year in particular) are definitely worthy petitions to bring before the feet of La Santísima. She is ever and always the Champion of the downtrodden and marginalized—those who in some way or another would find themselves drowning in the mainstream without Her aid. Let us pray.

To La Santa Muerte Verde, a 7th Night of Praise

Night time is the right time to literally sing the praises of my beloved La Santísima in my home temple space. With fresh flowers on the altar and jasmine flower incense burning, with a shot glass filled with top-shelf tequila, tasty dark chocolates, and sweet red apples before Her feet, I stand before La Santa Muerte Verde and publicly offer Her this prayer of praise on this, my seventh night of my novena in Her honor.

To La Santa Muerte Verde, a 6th Night of Praise

It’s night 6 in my public novena honoring La Santa Muerte Verde. As I rest and refresh myself, gearing up for the new week ahead, I give thanks and praise to the Bony Lady. Let us pray.

To La Santa Muerte Verde, a 5th Night of Praise

To the Glorious La Santa Muerte Verde, on this fifth night of my novena to Her, publicly thanking Her for granting me victory, I offer the following prayer:

To La Santa Muerte Verde, a 4th Night of Praise

Cheers to the year 2021! This is my fourth night of publicly praising La Santa Muerte Verde. I give thanks to Mi Flaquita for the blessings that are already on their way.

To La Santa Muerte Verde, a Third Night of Praise

On this New Year’s Eve, as I sit and reflect on the life-altering events I’ve experienced in the past 12 months, I salute La Santa Muerte Verde once again. This is night 3 of my public devotional novena to Her. She is deserving of such thanks and praise!

To La Santa Muerte Verde, A Second Night of Praise

This is my second night, per my promise, of publicly praising La Santa Muerte Verde for having secured this week a major legal victory for me. It is right to give Her thanks and praise!

La Santa Muerte Verde: Nine Nights of Praise

La Santa Muerte Verde came through for me in a big way, granting me victory in a tedious legal proceeding that began on Halloween. As part of my way of expressing my profound thanks, not just for my unequivocal victory but for resolving matters before this year ended, I vowed to Her that I would publicly praise Her for nine nights. May She be ever hailed!

Prayer to La Santa Muerte Blanca

Shrine of La Niña Blanca in my home temple space. Prayer and photo (c) A. Applegate 2018.

Most Holy Death,

Glorious and Powerful

Sister of Mercy,

Stand firm as my Protector:

My unwavering shield

Against all foes,

Those known and those not known to me.

Be my guiding light

When all avenues seem dark,

Ensuring the safety of my body and

The wellness of my mind and spirit.

Lady of Purity,

Lady of Righteousness,

Seated at the Right Hand of the Father,

May I always find refuge in

Your mantle of Protection,

Granting me spiritual and physical protection and peace.

So shall it be.

(Pray the “Hail Mary” three times.)

(c) A. Applegate 2018