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[[File:Muerte-Blanca 6.jpg|250px|left]]
[[File:The Black Mass.jpg|200px|left]]
'''[[Santa Muerte]]''' is a female deity and folk [[saint]] in Mexican folk [[Christianity|Catholicism]] and [[Paganism|Neopaganism]]. A personification of death, she is associated with healing, protection, and safe delivery to the afterlife by her devotees. Despite condemnation by the Catholic Church, and more recently Evangelical pastors, her cult has become increasingly prominent since the turn of the 21st century.
'''[[Black magic]]''' has traditionally referred to the use of supernatural powers or [[ritual magic|magic]] for evil and selfish purposes; or magic associated with [[the Devil]] or other evil spirits. It is also sometimes referred to as the "[[left-hand path]]," (its right-hand path counterpart being benevolent white magic). In modern times, some find that the definition of black magic has been convoluted by people who define magic or ritualistic practices that they disapprove of as black magic.


Her present day following was first reported in Mexico by American anthropologists in the 1940s and was an [[occult]] practice until the early 2000s. According to R. Andrew Chesnut, Ph.D. in Latin American history and professor of religious studies, Santa Muerte is at the center of the single fastest-growing new religious movement in the world.
While "[[natural magic]]" became popular among the educated and upper classes of the 16th and 17th century, [[ritual magic]] and folk magic remained subject to persecution. 20th century author Montague Summers generally rejects the definitions of "white" and "black" magic as "contradictory," though he highlights the extent to which all magic, regardless of intent, was considered "black," even magic involving [[angel]]s, because it attempted to subvert the will of [[Yahweh|God]] in favor of the [[magician]].


'''([[Santa Muerte|Full Article...]])'''
'''([[Black magic|Full Article...]])'''

Latest revision as of 15:54, 12 June 2025

The Black Mass.jpg

Black magic has traditionally referred to the use of supernatural powers or magic for evil and selfish purposes; or magic associated with the Devil or other evil spirits. It is also sometimes referred to as the "left-hand path," (its right-hand path counterpart being benevolent white magic). In modern times, some find that the definition of black magic has been convoluted by people who define magic or ritualistic practices that they disapprove of as black magic.

While "natural magic" became popular among the educated and upper classes of the 16th and 17th century, ritual magic and folk magic remained subject to persecution. 20th century author Montague Summers generally rejects the definitions of "white" and "black" magic as "contradictory," though he highlights the extent to which all magic, regardless of intent, was considered "black," even magic involving angels, because it attempted to subvert the will of God in favor of the magician.

(Full Article...)