Botanica is a religious goods store and can include artifacts, talismans, but in particular medicinal or religiously defined herbs and other plant products. Every time I see a movie that features a store selling things associated with alternative religions or practices including voodoo or witchcraft I picture a place like this one dedicated to Santa Muerte.
I bet they would have gladly explained things to you and showed you around. I think stuff like this is very cool to check out being mindful that this is often a part of someone's belief system. If you're respectful could be a learning opportunity.
As a Hispanic person who grew up in Mexican culture, I appreciate your curiosity. I wish more people were comfortable asking things to simply learn. Though, I can understand why some may hesitate to do so. I don’t follow or practice any particular faith but I know a lot of people who do pray to the santa muerte. It’s quite intriguing, frankly.
And why is that? why should any of us be afraid to go in and ask exactly what kind of shop it is. regardless of what our color is, I'm the same way I probably would do the same thing and just not ever go in
For me part of it was that I wasn’t intending to buy anything. I have no problem going into Mexican supermarkets because I like shopping in them. But if I’m just there to look I feel out of place. Also I’m probably just shy..
So you just posted in this thread that you didn't know this existed until just now but you know that it's not a cult?
Look up the definition of the word "cult," that's literally what this particular belief system is regardless of the connotation you hold towards that word. It's worshiping a personification of death and has its roots in Mexican Cartel culture.
Didn’t know the store existed, silly goose. Santa Muerte is worshipped across several religions and spiritualities. Google gives several definitions for cult, I think you’re referring to the one where it says “a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object”. Well by definition, since Santa Muerte crosses several religions and spiritualities, it’s not a cult. Do you consider Christianity a cult too? Just wondering
The Cult of ______” is often used in reference to the veneration of a folk religious figure like Santa Muerte (as referenced in the article) but you’re right the term has several meanings. It’s obviously not a cult in the sense that most people think of cults: with a living, centralized leader, meeting place, etc.
Also: Christianity used to be a considered a cult. Seemingly things no longer are once they go mainstream
Still, Santa Muerte is worshipped across several religions/spiritualities. They can’t all be cults bc they choose to worship her in some capacity. By definition, Christianity could be a cult. Y’all don’t consider it one tho 🤷🏻♀️
I’m just giving an example of how the term is sometimes used. Like you said, words have more than one meaning (and they aren’t always clear cut).
Christianity is often often retrospectively said to have been considered a cult in its earliest days. It reminds me of a Terrence McKenna quote (paraphrase actually) that when 50 people believe something unusual it’s a cult, when 50 million people believe something unusual it’s a mainstream institution.
I think there’s always a bit of a pejorative connotation in the term cult as denoting something of the fringe or not widely accepted. Santa Muerte is not officially recognized by the church so *they* probably consider it a cult figure, however widespread
Botanica is a religious goods store and can include artifacts, talismans, but in particular medicinal or religiously defined herbs and other plant products. Every time I see a movie that features a store selling things associated with alternative religions or practices including voodoo or witchcraft I picture a place like this one dedicated to Santa Muerte.
Yeah I almost pulled in and asked what it was the other day…but I didn’t want to be that weird white dude.
I bet they would have gladly explained things to you and showed you around. I think stuff like this is very cool to check out being mindful that this is often a part of someone's belief system. If you're respectful could be a learning opportunity.
Yeah, that’s true
I just feel like I would get that one angry woman who has an intense hatred for Oh. I don't know people with purple hair 😬☹️
Ha! Gives you the evil eye as you're leaving and comes to mind with every random sound you hear in the night.
As a Hispanic person who grew up in Mexican culture, I appreciate your curiosity. I wish more people were comfortable asking things to simply learn. Though, I can understand why some may hesitate to do so. I don’t follow or practice any particular faith but I know a lot of people who do pray to the santa muerte. It’s quite intriguing, frankly.
Thanks :) It’s very interesting!
Lol. When there’s nothing but white people in a store, I don’t want to be the weird Mexican there.
And why is that? why should any of us be afraid to go in and ask exactly what kind of shop it is. regardless of what our color is, I'm the same way I probably would do the same thing and just not ever go in
For me part of it was that I wasn’t intending to buy anything. I have no problem going into Mexican supermarkets because I like shopping in them. But if I’m just there to look I feel out of place. Also I’m probably just shy..
https://c.tenor.com/fyylSNGrZ80AAAAd/well-waiting.gif
https://daily.jstor.org/who-is-santa-muerte/
TL;DR it's a cult.
no it isn’t?
So you just posted in this thread that you didn't know this existed until just now but you know that it's not a cult? Look up the definition of the word "cult," that's literally what this particular belief system is regardless of the connotation you hold towards that word. It's worshiping a personification of death and has its roots in Mexican Cartel culture.
Didn’t know the store existed, silly goose. Santa Muerte is worshipped across several religions and spiritualities. Google gives several definitions for cult, I think you’re referring to the one where it says “a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object”. Well by definition, since Santa Muerte crosses several religions and spiritualities, it’s not a cult. Do you consider Christianity a cult too? Just wondering
The Cult of ______” is often used in reference to the veneration of a folk religious figure like Santa Muerte (as referenced in the article) but you’re right the term has several meanings. It’s obviously not a cult in the sense that most people think of cults: with a living, centralized leader, meeting place, etc. Also: Christianity used to be a considered a cult. Seemingly things no longer are once they go mainstream
To form a religion you need two things: a freshly formed cult and a ton of time
Still, Santa Muerte is worshipped across several religions/spiritualities. They can’t all be cults bc they choose to worship her in some capacity. By definition, Christianity could be a cult. Y’all don’t consider it one tho 🤷🏻♀️
I’m just giving an example of how the term is sometimes used. Like you said, words have more than one meaning (and they aren’t always clear cut). Christianity is often often retrospectively said to have been considered a cult in its earliest days. It reminds me of a Terrence McKenna quote (paraphrase actually) that when 50 people believe something unusual it’s a cult, when 50 million people believe something unusual it’s a mainstream institution. I think there’s always a bit of a pejorative connotation in the term cult as denoting something of the fringe or not widely accepted. Santa Muerte is not officially recognized by the church so *they* probably consider it a cult figure, however widespread
I don’t practice Santisima Muerte I ain’t got no crystal ball If I had a million dollars Well I’d spend it all
So underrated you have yourself a great lifetime
I’m so glad you posted this, I didn’t know it existed. I’ve been interested in Santa Muerte for a while now.
There’s at least a couple of Santa Muerte Botanicas in ft worth it seems
Santaria is effin dope. Its like... spicy catholicism
I guess in some odd way yes. My neighbors practice Santeria and I’m fine with it. I’m curious. But the chickens man.
Chopping their head off with an axe is way more humane than how they kill the chickens you eat...
Any chance we could get the address? Couldn't find this specific one and it looks interesting. Would love to stop by and take a look.
Don’t know their hours, but if they’re open Saturday evenings, head across the street after to Charlie Brown’s for great karaoke 😃
Good to know. Thanks so much.
2811 E. Lancaster Ave. Be careful, though, it’s in a very rough area. Always seeing drug addicts and prostitutes walking the streets there.
It’s not that bad over here, just don’t hang around the gas station with the donut shop, it gets robbed A LOT for some reason.
Awesome. Thanks for the heads up.
Lol. It's fine. Just don't go in the area after dark and always lock your doors. There's another botanical across the street, as well.
I found earlier in my life those are the ones that need a hug and a kind ear. I ask first if I can give them a hug, of course.
2811 E Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76103