What if some of the most powerful paranormal experiences aren’t found in ghost stories—but in religion?

In this episode of Beyond the Human, we explore the rapidly growing devotion to Santa Muerte, also known as Holy Death, the Skeleton Saint, or La Flaca. With millions of devotees across Mexico, the United States, and Central America, Santa Muerte has been called one of the fastest-growing new religious movements in the world.

This episode examines Santa Muerte not just as a cultural or religious figure, but as a supernatural phenomenon—one that challenges how we define belief, experience, and the unexplained.

From protection and healing to love, vengeance, and even ensuring a “good death,” Santa Muerte occupies a space that most religious figures—and most paranormal frameworks—avoid.

Join us as we dive. into the history, characteristics, and devotion to Santa Muerte and ask big questions like why do we often separate religion from the supernatural?

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Topics discussed in this episode:

(2:14) - Religion and the Supernatural

(10:49) - History and Origins of Santa Muerte

(26:25) - Who is Santa Muerte?

(35:14) - What is Santa Muerte like?

(44:32) - What does Santa Muerte do?

Resources for additional research:

Dr. Andrew Chesnut

Devoted to Death, 3rd Edition

Death and the Idea of Mexico

Campfire ambience: “Campfire at night soundscape (louder fire, quieter animals)” by SilverIllusionist, via Freesound (CC BY 4.0).

Music: “Backwoods BBQ” by Chris Haugen, via the YouTube Audio Library.