People all over the universe have different religious beliefs in their lives today. These beliefs have been contributed by their different cultures and found in existence. In psychology, magical thinking is the notion that one’s thoughts, words, or deeds may affect actual events that are not logically related to them (Lovering, 2022). This thinking is often associated with superstitions and religious beliefs; however, it may also occur in non-religious contexts. Although it may persist into adulthood and become problematic if it interferes with a person’s ability to do daily chores, it is regarded as a common element of childhood development. Therefore, magical thinking plays an integral role in Santa Muerte by having a belief in spirituality and the strength of personal thoughts.
People’s belief and how they conduct themselves depends on the location that they are within the world. Santa Muerte is a folk which is generally respected in Mexico and the United States. Santa Muerte, which translates to “Holy Death” or “Saint Death,” is the Spanish name for the skeletal representation of death. Santa Muerte, sometimes shown with a scythe or globe, is revered for granting healing, protection, and pain-free death. The Catholic Church disapproves of Santa Muerte’s devotion, and because it has been associated with evil, it has generated controversies in Mexico.
Certain rituals are carried out as a consequence of magical thinking in various mental health conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The only way to eliminate the stress and worry caused by magical concepts is to engage in a certain activity. Someone with OCD could act out a specific habit or behavior due to magical thinking (Lovering, 2022). Magical thinking in psychology can be defined as a belief in the power of personal perceptions and thoughts and their ability to change the external environment on their own (Lovering, 2022). Considering the superstitious nature of Santa Muerte, it can be seen that the conventional approaches of magical thinking are preferred. Even when locals are aware of the absurdity of their beliefs, they nonetheless feel compelled to act in a particular manner to safeguard others or prevent terrible things from happening. It was formerly claimed that among people with Schizophrenia, magical thinking is most closely related to auditory hallucinations. People with Schizophrenia often fail to recognize that the relationship between the action and the event is irrational. Magical thinking might thus be used as a coping mechanism for obsessive beliefs.
Magical thinking and Santa Muerte are connected through the common use of rosaries, shrines, and gifts like apples, cigars, and candles. Elements of Spiritualism, Santera, western medicine, and New Age ideas of spiritual vitality are also included in the religion’s magical rites, which are descended from native practices (Gershon, 2020). Its physicians may dispel a curse, provide a herbal remedy, or aid a job seeker. In magical thinking, examples that have been used to illustrate it include wearing a lucky item of clothing and making a wish on birthday candles. Likewise, in Santa Muerte, a significant emphasis is put on nonconventional healing methods. Thus, magical thinking and Santa Muerte both accentuate the healing power of thought and different items, and, therefore, with Santa Muerte having a superstitious community, magical thinking is the preferred method.
In conclusion, magical thinking and Santa Muerte play a crucial role in psychology since it shows how the belief in the strength of personal thoughts is important to some people. They do relate with each other in determining the belief of people around the world. Hence, it is essential to remember that the notion of Santa Muerte in and of itself is not a problem; instead, issues may arise when this concept is applied, for example, when individuals break the law or fail to fulfill their commitments. Even if others consider one’s actions and thoughts as “magical thinking,” having a belief and a ritual alone does not always cause problems. However, if magical thinking evolves into an obsession that ultimately becomes a compulsive behavior, one may want to get advice and guidance from a mental health professional.
References
Gershon, L. (2020). Who is Santa Muerte? JSTOR Daily. Web.
Lovering, C. (2022). The psychology of magical thinking. Psych Central. Web.