LIMINAL ANALYTICS:

APPLIED RESEARCH COLLABORATIVE

CASE STUDIES (1)





CONTENTS:

1. Contemporary folklore from Walton County, GA
2. Craigslist Conjurations Amazing Advertisements for Local Spiritual Workers
3. La Posesion - Exorcism and la Santisima Muerte
4. San Padrino Endoque - First Saint of Santa Muerte
5. Prayer to San Padrino Endoque
The following is a selection of items gathered from the outer edges of contemporary
culture. These curated flowers of human experience represent areas that are often
unseen or passed over by those who stick to the main roads of life - but I think that you
will find that if you approach them with an open mind they open a deeper understanding
of the joy that can be found in liminal analytics, a term used to describe the fine art of
exploring the unattended, invisible, and overlooked.






Contemporary folklore from Walton County, GA

Erase from your mind history channel dramatizations, inept experts parading through
graveyards, television psychics emoting around an asserted haunting, and return to the
simple act of storytelling that has always been the center of Fortean investigation. Even
the most powerful myths existed first as stories, experiences recounted in a shared word
between friends, family and strangers.

With the rise of communication technology, its easy to miss the importance of mundane
encounters. Stories act as a well of meaning where we can sink a whisper of some local
memory, shadows playing past events, personal recollections gathered while
investigating the borderland between real and imagined. We encounter them every day,
meaningful, coordinated incidents measuring a slow rhythm in time, subtle glimpses of a
possibility that strange, structured narratives underlie our common lives.

Spending time at Liminal Analytics office, stories seep from the walls louder than
karaoke at the local bar down the street. The other night while walking through the alley
out back I heard hints of a passionate and unnerving country version of Purple Rain
emerging from that bar, proof were face to face with the regularity of everyday
anomalies here.

In honor of those local memories laying at the base of all expositions of anomaly, here are
two raw case studies in the form of personal recollections from folks Ive met while
acclimating to the south. These are stories straight from the mouths of their tellers,
ungarnished, translucent tales of strange happenings in Walton County, Georgia.












The Circle That David Drew (Source: C. Barts, Walton County, GA) -

Growing up, my best friend David, and I had a mutual friend named Brandon. All three of
us went to school together, played baseball on the same teams, and went off together on
the weekends. We were what most would call pretty tight. We had each others back.

As with most friendships at school, David and I went one way and Brandon went another.
He and his family eventually moved out of the school district to the other side of the
county. While it wasnt that far, as kids it seemed forever away. All three of us kept in
touch as much as possible, but that eventually faded away until communication was
almost nonexistent.

It had been a little over a year since we had last heard from Brandon. One evening David
and I had been out with some friends, and I ended up at his house to crash for the night.
At around midnight the phone rings awakening us both from our sleep.

I hear David say,Hello?

Hey man, whats up? Its been a long time.

There was a pause and then he said Well hang on one second let me get something to
write your number on and I will call you back tomorrow.

I hear some papers shuffling on the night stand in between the two beds as David pulls a
high school football program from the pile, the kind with pictures of the players and
cheerleaders, and about a million ads from local businesses.

He flips open a page in the dark, writes down a phone number, writes Brandons name
above it, draws a circle around it and says, Got it, I will call you tomorrow. Bye.

The next morning came on fairly uneventful. Around mid-morning David and I were just
sitting in the living room watching television when the phone rings.

This time his mom answers from the other room. We here bits and pieces of the
conversation and hear more than a few times Oh, my gosh.

She hangs up the phone and walks in where we are parked on the couch. She looks pale.
With tears in her eyes she whispers, Youre not going to believe it, but early this
morning Brandon was shot and killed by his step father and tells us of the proposed
funeral arrangements.

We were sitting there in shock when suddenly David bolts up to his room. He emerges
with the football program hed grabbed the night before when Brandon had called. He
looks at his mom and says, He just called me last night while shuffling pages looking
for his number.

Suddenly a look of terror overcomes Davids face as the book falls to the floor. I say,
David what is it? and his only reply is Holy crap!

I pick up the book and begin to look for the number myself. What I find I cant believe.
There was Brandons name and phone number written on an ad page for the very funeral
home where his body would lay in rest. The circle that David drew around Brandons info
also included the exact location, out of many in the county, of the funeral home his
service was held at.

All we could do was stare at one another in disbelief.






Born With A Veil (Source: Preston, Walton County, GA) -

I believe in the unknown, because to me not to believe in the unknown is to not believe
in God. I cant see him neither, but I know hes there and I can see him working.

Now some people are afraid of ghosts, they dont like to talk about them none. I tell them,
now I believe in the Lord too strong to be worried about any of that.

I believe in ghosts because my daddy believed in them. He was born with a veil over his
face, they say that folks born like that can see things, he used to heal kids with the
thrush.

One time we was at the bus stop, and he tell me Look over there
Pointing to a man standing across the street at the other bus stop, he was standing with
his back turned to us so you couldnt see his face. My daddy said Thats a ghost

And I said Now how in the world can that be a ghost? Thats a man standing there solid
as me.

He said, Nah, thats a ghost. You aint never gonna see his face, watch

So we did, we sat there until our bus come, whole time the man just stands there with his
back to us. My daddy he said Now wait, well let this one pass, were going to sit here
until his bus come.

So we did, we sat there until his bus come, still that man never did turn or move. My
daddy say Now watch

The lights inside the bus was bright, you know, and I watched, but I never seen him get
on the bus. When it drove away, he was gone. Now I tell you I aint seen him get on, but
he was gone when it left.

We had an apartment in Atlanta, it was up on the second floor. There was a balcony off the
back, you know, but no stairs coming up to it. One night I hear something kick at the
balcony door and it bust open, and I hear someone screaming
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh! real loud, you know. I run out there on the balcony
and Im looking down all over the alley, but I aint seen nobody. We was two stories up,
now if somebody been there Id a seen em.

My daddy he come out and said Boy, just leave it alone. Its just a ghost, it dont mean no
harm.

He moved in one place, and they werent so peaceful, they threw him out. He seen
something there one time, and after that he just left the place and wouldnt go back in.
My sisters had to go get the furniture and all the stuff, he tell them I aint gonna go
back, no matter what. They can have the furniture and all the rest, I aint messin with
that.

When he was a boy they used to bring kids over with the thrush to see him, he blow
three times in their mouths and they was supposed to get healed. He told me that it used
to work back then. They said peoples born with a veil could do things like that.

I aint seen nothin like that since he passed. Not that strong, but sometimes you see
those things out of the corner of your eye, you see it, feel someone pass, but you look
again and there aint nothin there.









Craigslist Conjurations Amazing Advertisements for
Local Spiritual Workers

Psychic services are a mainstay on
Craigslists classified ads, but there are
more rarefied offerings from a few unique
individuals who have stepped outside of
the common spiritual SEO. These beautiful
people offer us a vision for how the
traditions of folk spirituality continue on
outside of any supposed occult revival,
without artisan publications or
connections to the mediated movements of
nostalgia that have driven much of the
interest in these areas for the past few
decades. Although it is obvious that there is some influence from the mainstreaming of
esoteric spirituality, as you will see in some of the exorcism services offered, these ads
also show deep connections with the standards of popular spirituality that have existed
for centuries.

Here for your enjoyment and edification are some of the more interesting spiritual
workers on the market. All spelling, grammar and other personalized touches have been
left in place to present a most true and honest picture of each spiritual worker.


(Exorcist)expulsion, protection, blessing (non-denominational)

Hello there Iam an exorcist of international study, i do not have a specific ritual status so
if you do prefer a certain style of belief oriented ritual i will not refuse do to the fact of
resenant energy.

Now i offer the service of repeling spirits of dark nature and demons (or if needed,
helping a spirit of any manner cross over to the other plain)

Yes i do have experience exorcising spirits in myself and others so do not hesitate to ask
for an exorcism I WILL HELP YOU keep in mind an act of exorcism is very dangerous for
myself and esspecialy YOU so keep in mind you need to be sure and you need to be
strong and stay strong no matter what happens (NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS).

I also offer blessings of items, oneself and residence.

So if you are ready to rercieve my help do not hesitate to ask for it, iam here for the
public (everyone and anyone) i believe all that is and can be, i ony believe in trueth
there is no false in spirituality or belief. So if you do not have a prefrance of ritual status
then i will do what i do best, but if you DO do not mind telling me i will bend to your
belief.

REMEMBER IAM HERE TO HELP YOU, NOT TO TELL YOU WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG.
Hey and even if you need spiritual advise or advise of your well being, counseling etc. I
might as well be one in a million iam very wise..

P.S Now i will recieve a mobile phone on the first of this coming month and i will update
with the number, so dont freak out if you are not comfurtable with E-mail..

Thank you and have a nice and positive day.. May we all walk the line of peace!!

-

The next advertisement mixes the traditional healing methods of folk Christianity with
contemporary ideas such as demonic stronghold analysis for a surprising Craigslist spiritual
offering:

Curse Removal Guidance And Spiritual Advisor (Atlanta)

I offer Free Help Initial to prove my worth, then i charge to continue Support and
Guidance.
So you have a Guarantee to verify that i can help you first at no expense to your self.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND:

one of the most common reasons why people dont get success from Spiritual advisory is
NOT FOLLOWING EXACT INSTRUCTIONS.

I know and realize its hard getting directions from a complete stranger on how to handle
issues in your life but this is the only way to for it to workat least with my service of
healing.

Im very very thorough with what i do which involves home visits.

I offer:

Paranormal Activity Analysis
Demonic Stronghold Analysis
Unexplained Paranormal Activity
Haunting
Ghost
Spirits
Paranormal Investigation
In Home, Telephonic, Face to Face Advisory System.

Bible Foundation methods with no worldly rituals, baths, beads, soaps and so forth.
Strictly on the Word of God and Direction in the Bible. Through, Prayer, Coaching,
Support, Guidance, Biblical Enlightenment, and Genuine Love, our specialist will bring
light to your dark situation.

Specializing:

Identification and removal Demonic, Negative holds, Assignments and Barriers placed on
individuals.
Relationship Healing and Ending through healthy closure.
Breaking of Negative Generational Ties.
Spiritual/Emotional Healing Assistance.
Spiritual Awakening, (Destiny Realization)
Removal Demonic Emotions; Sadness, Depression, Loneliness, Fear, Anxiety, Anger, Lust,
Envy, Jealousy,Stress
Spiritual Healing From Abuse; Molestation, Violence, Mental Abuse, Sexual Assault,
Neglect

FREE CONSULTATION

24 Hour Counselling Support Line For Active Clients

For Service Reply to this ad with HELP HEALING in the Subject Line in the body please
give your full name, a brief description of the issues at hand, your faith or beliefs, and a
contact number with an appropriate time frame that you can be contacted.

Thank You and Have a Blessed day.
-
Next we have Miss Mary, who runs a number of advertisements in different cities, which to
the uncritical eye might seem to be repetitious however, the true connoisseur of traditional
spiritual work will recognize the poetic touches that make each ad unique. She uses a time
honored formula that is reminiscent of older advertisements for such services. Miss Marys ad
copy is similar to theMother Powers advertisements in Lottery Dream Books, or the
associated advertisements online for Sister Mary, here you can see the tradition carrying on
into the digital world of Craigslist classifieds:

SPIRITUAL ROOTWORKER (BRUNSWICK, GEORGIA)

MISS MARY CAN HELP YOU ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD IN HOURS. ARE YOU IN HARD
LUCK? DO YOU HAVE PROBLEMS THAT ARE WORRYING YOU? ARE YOU SUFFERING IN
PAIN AND MISERY? DO YOU WANT TO GET LUCKY AND STAY LUCKY? IS YOUR HUSBAND
OR WIFE SPENDING THE MONEY ON SOMEONE ELSE? HAS HE OR SHE LEFT YOU FOR
ANOTHER? CALL MISS MARY NOW FOR HELP. ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE WITH YOUR
LEGS, BACK, STOMACH, HEAD, OR ARMS? IS YOUR HAIR FALLING OUT? MISS MARY WILL
REMOVE BAD LUCK, EVIL, SICKNESS, PAINS AND NERVOUS CONDITIONS FROM YOU NOW.
MISS MARY WILL TELL YOU HOW TO BE LUCKY AT HORSES, CARDS, BINGO, LOTTERY,
DOGS, SLOT MACHINES, AND NUMBERS. CALL NOW FOR HELP. YOU WILL BLESS THE DAY
YOU DID. MY WORK IS 100% GUARANTEED. CALL MISS MARY TODAY AND BE RID OF
YOUR TROUBLES BY TOMMOROW.

MISS MARY POWERFUL ROOT WORKER (BRUNSWICK, GA.)

MY POWERS ARE GUARANTEED. DO YOU HAVE BAD LUCK? NEED HELP? MISS MARY
SOLVES ALL PROBLEMS. MONEY, LUCK, BUSINESS, HEALTH, NATURE, MARRIAGE, LOVE
PROBLEMS, DRUG PROBLEMS, ALCOHOLISM. MISS MARY CAN REMOVE EVIL SPELLS OF
ALL KINDS. VOODOO, ROOTS, HEXES. 100%SURE FAST RESULTS. CALL MISS MARY TODAY
AND BLESS THE DAY YOU DID. MY MAGICAL POWERS ARE BEYOND YOUR IMAGINATION.
CALL NOW FOR IMMEDIATE RESULTS.

POWERFUL ROOT WORKER (BRUNSWICK, GA.)

MISS MARY WILL READ YOUR ENTIRE LIFE WITHOUT ASKING YOU A SINGLE QUESTION.
SHE HAS THE ABILITY TO HEAL BY PRAYER. ARE YOU SUFFERING? ARE YOU SICK IN ANY
PART OF YOUR BODY? ARE YOU LOSING YOUR HAIR? HAVE YOU EVER STAYED AWAKE
AT NIGHT THINKING ABOUT YOUR FUTURE? WELL THINK NO MORE MISS MARY IS HERE
TO HELP YOU WITH ANY PROBLEM YOU MAY HAVE. MISS MARY WILL HELP YOU IN LOVE,
MARRIAGE, ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE, LAWSUITS, EVIL, DIVORCES, ANY PROBLEM IS
NOT TO BIG OR SMALL. I WILL GIVE YOU LUCKY NUMBERS TO PLAY LOTTO, BINGO,
HORSES, DOGS, SLOTS. CALL MISS MARY TODAY AND BE RID OF YOUR PROBLEMS
TOMORROW. MISS MARY SOLEMLY SWEARS TO HELP YOU. CALL MISS MARY TODAY AND
BLESS THE DAY YOU DID.

0RDAINED PSYCHIC READER AND ADVISOR (BRUNSWICK, GA)

HAVE YOU BEEN HOODOOED? ARE YOU SICK IN ANY PART OF YOUR BODY? MISS MARY
HAS GOD GIVEN POWER TO HELP YOU OVERCOME YOUR PROBLEMS NO MATTER HOW
BIG OR SMALL. I WILL TELL YOU JUST WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT FRIENDS
ENEMIES OR RIVALS, WHETHER HUSBAND, WIFE OR SWEETHEART IS TRUE OR FALSE,
HOW TO GAIN THE LOVE YOU MOST DESIRE, CONTROL OR INFLUENCE THE ACTION OF
ANYONE EVEN THOUGH MILES AWAY. WILL GIVE YOU LUCKY NUMBERS, I HAVE HELPED
THOUSANDS THROUGH ALL WALKS OF LIFE. I WILL ADVISE YOU ON LOVE, MARRIAGE,
BUSINESS, HEALTH, DIVORCES, LAWSUITS, LUCK, ALCOHOLICS, DRUG ADDICTIONS,
HAPPINESS,SPELLS, SUCCESS AND EVIL INFLUENCES OF ALL KINDS. I WILL TELL YOU
WHO YOUR FRIENDS AND ENEMIES ARE. GUARANTEES TO REMOVE ALL EVIL AND BAD
LUCK!!! WHY SUFFER WHEN YOU CAN BE HELPED AND FREED FROM ALL YOUR
TROUBLES!!! DONT FAIL TO CALL MISS MARY TODAY YOU WILL BLESS THE DAY YOU
DID!!! CALL MISS MARY AND SEE FOR YOURSELF WHAT MY POWERS CAN DO FOR YOU!!!
DO NOT COMPARE ME WITH CHEAP, COMMON, ORDINARY INPERSONATORS MY WORK IS
WITH GOD!!! CALL MISS MARY TODAY

SPIRITUAL READER AND ADVISOR (BRUNSWICK,GEORGIA)

MISS MARY WILL READ YOUR ENTIRE LIFE WITHOUT ASKING YOU A SINGLE QUESTION.
MISS MARY HAS THE ABILITY TO HEAL BY PRAYER. ARE YOU SUFFERING? ARE YOU SICK
IN ANY PART OF YOUR BODY? HAVE YOU EVER STAYED AWAKE AT NIGHT THINKING
ABOUT YOUR FUTURE? WELL, NOW YOU DONT HAVE TO! THIS SPIRITUAL WOMAN
WILL GUIDE YOU TO OVERCOME YOUR PROBLEMS NO MATTER WHAT YOUR PROBLEMS
MIGHT BE. I CAN HELP YOU WITH LOVE PROBLEMS, MARRIAGE, OR BUSINESS PROBLEMS.
I CAN GIVE YOU SURE HIT LUCKY NUMBERS. I WILL CURE ANY PROBLEMS THAT YOU
HAVE. DONT BE DISCOURAGED IF OTHERS FAILED YOU. MY WORK IS WITH GOD AND MY
POWERS ARE GUARANTEED TO WORK. CALL ME AND FIND OUT FOR YOUR SELF HOW
GREAT MY POWERS ARE. CALL MISS MARY AND BLESS THE DAY YOU DID.




MISS MARY ROOTWORKER (BRUNSWICK, GEORGIA)

LET MISS MARY REMOVE ALL EVIL SHADOWS AND SPELLS FROM YOU AND YOUR HOME. I
USE LOVE POTIONS, SPELLS, DOLLS, HERBS, OILS AND CANDLES IN MY WORK TO REMOVE
OR PLACE A VOODOO. DO YOU WISH TO CONTROL THE ACTIONS OF ANYONE YOU DESIRE
MISS MARY WILL ADVISE YOU IN LOVE, MARRIAGE, BUSINESS, LUCK, HAPPINESS, AND
MONEY. CALL MISS MARY TODAY AND BE HELPED AS THOUSANDS HAVE ALREADY DID.
CALL MISS MARY AND BLESS THE DAY YOU DID.

Psychic Palm and Tarot Card Reader

I AM A LOCAL PALM READER HERE IN BRUNSWICK, GA. I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR OVER 30
YEARS I HAVE ALOT OF REPEAT CLIENTS THAT ARE VERY SATISFIED WITH MY
READINGS I AM AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE PARTYS IF YOU ARE HAVING A PRIVATE
PARTY AND ARE INTERESTED IN HAVING A REAL LIFE PALM READER AT YOUR PARTY
CALL ME FOR RATES MISS MARY

-

With the popularity of exorcism in the mainstream media it is not surprising to see some
focused exorcists advertising on Craigslist as well. In the case of the next two selections we
find an ordained minister offering his services both solo, and with a full paranormal
investigation team:

exorcist, investigating home/personal exorcism (upstate s.c, and nc)

Ordained Christian minister who specializes in demonic expulsion. Before an exorcism on
a person will be conducted the proper mental health evaluations must have taken place. I
offer a free service but due to travel cost, donations are accepted but not necessary. I
want to bring deliverance. No matter your religion, race or creed if you are experiencing
paranormal disturbances please contact me. This is a serious post so please be serious
and professional

paranormal investigation and demonic expulsion

A group of paranormal investigators in the upstate of south Carolina have decided to
work together and form a team. A like-minded group whos intent is to investigate the
most known allegedly haunted locations in SC and NC. The South Carolina supernatural
investigators (scsi) aims to validate or debunk these claims. We are available for private
investigations at no cost. We are accompanied by an ordained minister who specializes in
exorcism and demonology and thus We will also be available to investigate personal
possession/home infestation claims. Contact us if you are experiencing any form of
haunting and we will be glad to help.

Contact us

-

Finally we have an example of a fictional form emerging into the culture through a classified
ad for an Occult Detective a favorite character type for the past century of popular weird
tales:

Occult Detective, Anthony W. Fields (greenville sc)

Investigating the Unexplained.

I provide Consultation concerning the strange and unexplained.

Over 20yrs of Paranormal/Occult/Cult Studies and Practice with 12yrs of Professional
Investigation/Counter Intelligence/Personal Security experience.

Free face-to-face Consultations. Call or email to set-up an appointment.















La Posesion - Exorcism and la Santisima Muerte

Madrina Enriqueta Vargas has become one of
the most active leaders in Santa Muertes
devotional tradition. As the leader of El Templo
de Santa Muerte Tultitlan, she has carried on
the legacy of her murdered son, Jonathan
Legaria Vargas, and has fostered a level of
community engagement that demonstrates the
power of la Santisima to bring together diverse
groups under the banner of the Most Holy
Death.

The following selection is an exorcism narrative in which Vargas describes her
experience casting out a disruptive spirit through the power of Santa Muerte and her
son, mentioned here as Padrino Endoque (Godfather Endoque), who has since been
canonized within the tradition.

-

LA POSESION.

Ese domingo de oracin me baj de m automvil, camin hacia el altar del templo, pero
fui interceptada por Angelita, una viejita que en aqul entonces trabajaba ah:

- Madrina, esprate tantito quiero que veas a una chica que se puso muy mal.
En eso vi, que traan cargando a una mujer la metieron a la capilla, nos metimos detrs y
Angelita les dijo:

- Acustenla en el piso, para que la vea la madrina.

La chica gritaba con voz ronca:

- Djenme, sultenme, que todos vean quien soy!

Yo, me preguntaba que poda hacer, si yo no soy doctora, no entenda que le pasaba.
Rpidamente me explicaron que la chica estaba como poseda, que momentos antes se
retorca y hablaba muy feo.

Con el miedo que a m me causa el diablo, pero no poda demostrar temor, as que me
sent cerca de su cabeza, las 2 personas que venan con ella la tomaron de cada brazo y
Alma una chica que trabajaba conmigo se sent en sus pies, ella no dejaba de gritar:

- Djenme! Sultenme! no saben quin sooooy.

Angelita le pregunt:

Y quin eres mijita?

- Que te importaaaa!!!

Ella segua gritando con voz muy ronca y yo me mora del miedo, tom agua armonizada y
se la puse en la frente, mientras mentalmente deca yo:

- Ay Dios! Ay Santa! Ay hijito! No me hagan esto por favor ya ven que a m me dan
miedo stas cosas, chenme la mano s!

En eso la chica abri los ojos, se me qued viendo y como si supiera lo que yo pensaba
asent con la cabeza, su mirada era opaca, los ojos medio verdosos, se les solt de un brazo
y acerc su mano a mi cara, yo cerr los ojos pensando que iba a estrangularme, a
levantarme por el aire y luego arrojarme, pero en lugar de eso, empez a acariciar mi cara
y a decirme:

- Ya no llores mamita por favor! ya no quiero que llores, te quiero mucho mamita.
Esos ojos sin brillo, como si los cubriera una telita, trataban de mirarme con cario. La
sujetaron nuevamente del brazo y volvi a retorcerse y a gritar:

- Sultenme, Djenme, no saben quin soy, Soy el ao cerooooo!!! Soy el
simbolooooo!!!
Yo segua pidindole a Dios, a la Santa y a mi hijo, que por favor la ayudaran y ella
continuaba diciendo:

- Est obscuro muy obscuro, tengo sed, tengo sed.

Angelita le pregunt:

- Quieres agua mijita?

- Cllate pinche vieja!

Alma que se encontraba sentada en sus pies, ya que de esa manera impeda se moviera,
fue levantada como medio metro del piso, lo raro es que la chica era delgada y Almita era
bastante robusta, tal vez pesaba unos 80 y tantos kilos.

No obstante que senta temor, acarici su pelo y su frente, al mismo tiempo que peda a
Dios, a la Santa Muerte y al Pantera:

- Aydenla por favor! ustedes pueden hacerlo, no la abandonen.

Debo decir que tambin dije:

-Ay Diablito! si t ests dentro de ella djala! yo no voy a meterme con tus devotos,
jams tratar de quitrtelos, pero t deja a los hijos de la Santa Muerte.

Casi todo el tiempo me mantuve con los ojos cerrados, orando en silencio, pidiendo con
todo mi corazn para que la chica ya estuviera bien. De pronto abr los ojos porque
nuevamente sent que me observaban y as era me vea fijamente, yo trataba de no
mostrar miedo, pero no poda soportar mucho tiempo su mirada.

Le di un beso en la frente, le acarici el pelo y le dije:

- Vas a estar bien mi nia, mi Santa te ayudar.
Ella trat de esbozar una sonrisa, de sus ojos desapareci la delgada telita opaca que los
cubra y su color cambi, ya haba brillo nuevamente en ellos, mir hacia todos lados y a
cada uno de los que estbamos ah.

Pregunt:

- Qu pas?

Ped que la ayudaran a levantarse y que la sentaran en una de las bancas, ella sigui
preguntando:

- Porque estoy aqu? Qu me pas?

Le dije:

- Tranquila mi amor, todo est bien!

De pronto se acerc Angelita sin mi autorizacin, con una veladora encendida y me dice:

- Madrina toma para que la limpies.

Observ como los ojos de la chica nuevamente se cubrieron con esa telita, dirigi la
mirada opaca y verdosa a la veladora, adivin sus intenciones y trat de tomar
rpidamente sta, pero ella aprision mis manos que ya tenan el vaso, trat de zafarme,
pero me sujetaba fuertemente aunque sin lastimarme, pens que me arrojara la parafina
derretida encima, cerr mis ojos ped a mi hijo me ayudara y en eso ella subi mis manos
despus las baj, las puso en medio, continu del lado derecho y luego hacia el lado
izquierdo mientras entonaba algo as:

- Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

Aprovech para soltar mis manos y alejar la veladora, mientras mir a Angelita con enojo
para que no volviera a meterse en donde no le llaman.

Abrac a la chica, ella solt su cuerpo ayud el que estaba sentada para que no cayera, la
sostuve y le repeta.

- Todo est bien mi nia, todo est bien!

Abri nuevamente sus ojos ya estaban claros otra vez, pero se vea dbil su cara y sus
manos sudaban, segua recostada en mi pecho. Su hermana se comunic con sus paps para
que vinieran por ellas, tan pronto llegaron la mam corri a abrazarla y el pap solo se
limit a hincarse ante la Santa, as estuvo sin decir palabra alguna, despus de un buen
rato se levant, me dieron las gracias y se marcharon.

Sal a dar la oracin, pens que por el tiempo transcurrido tal vez ya no estaran los
devotos, pero me alegr al ver que ellos continuaban ah, no obstante que "los buitres"
que siempre rondaban el Santuario trataban de desanimarlos para que se fueran. Por eso
amo a los fieles de la Santa Muerte y del Pantera "MIS NIOS" porque no se dejan
convencer fcilmente por los charlatanes. An hoy en da "muchos buitres" revolotean a
mi alrededor, muchos que fingen quererme, creyendo absurdamente que podrn ocupar
mi lugar, pero para eso hace falta que entreguen su corazn, su salud, LA VIDA MISMA.

San Padrino Endoque - First Saint of Santa Muerte

At 3 a.m. on July 31st, 2008 unknown assailants
sprayed Jonathan Legaria Vargas car with over 150
bullets, killing him instantly but sparing his two
passengers. Known as both Padrino (Godfather)
Endoque and Comandante Pantera, Vargas was a
charismatically outspoken leader in the growing
public devotional tradition surrounding Santa
Muerte. With the creation of a towering 75 ft. tall
effigy of The Bony Lady in Tultitlan on the gritty
outskirts of Mexico City, he was on his way to
becoming a centralizing figure in the loose knit
community of Santa Muertistas.
Mired in local politics and rumors the investigation into his death was complicated and
messy. In the midst of the pain that followed her sons murder, Jonathans mother
Enriqueta Vargas Ortiz made a vow:
Entonces le hice una promesa a la Santa: t me entregas a los asesinos, y yo voy a
tratar de llevarte a lo ms alto que pueda.
Vargas made a promise to Saint (Death), You turn over his killers to me, and Ill try to to
take you the greatest heights. The once devout Catholic, who had always been
uncomfortable with her sons fervor for Santa Muerte, pledged she would devote herself
to tending to devotion to Santa Muerte if the Powerful Lady (one of her myriad
monikers) would bring justice to the murderers that took her sons life.
Events over the ensuing months transpired, such that Vargas felt that Saint Death had
fulfilled her end of the bargain, and since then, Godmother Vargas has tended to the
Tultitlan shrine with vigor.
Her son, Comandante Pantera, had been an outspoken and fiery community leader in the
public growth of Santa Muertes devotional tradition. When he was gunned down, he was
attempting to increase public acceptance of her devotions through radio programs and
public displays, such as the 75 ft. statue. Under the auspices of Santa Muerte
International he tried to highlight some of the social problems that have lead to her
popularity:
People are tired of looking for religion; people are tired of the priests who make off
with the donations. What do they ask for now? Faith, which costs nothing more than
love.
Since her sons death, Godmother Vargas has kept up the pace developing the Templo de
Santa Muerte in Tultitlninto one of the most vibrant hubs of veneration of Saint Death.
She continues to build the community through regular worship services, television and
radio appearances and digital outreach on Facebook. Under her guidance, there are even
exorcisms, weddings and christenings now being performed at the temple.
The shock of his murder led to years of soul searching, and the publication of
Quin mat al Comandante Pantera? Who Killed Comandante Pantera, a book
which details her struggle to seek justice. Her poignant question, Why do we moms
have to do the job of the authorities? Por qu las mams tenemos que hacer el
trabajo de las autoridades? echoes the struggle of so many facing the violence and
terror that plague Mexico.
Even without official support Enriqueta Vargas fought to find peace with what had
occurred, and through her dedication and devotion has come one of the more
surprising developments since Santa Muertes public outing in 2001 Jonathan
Vargas has become the first canonized figure in the cult of the Bony Lady, and
perhaps the first folk saint to develop out of the tradition of another one.
Over time Godmother Vargas has reported a series of
visions of her son acting as an intercessor and
intermediary for Santa Muerte, and other devotees
associated with the temple have reported similar
experiences and miraculous events surrounding him.
The ritual necklaces that he wore have become a symbol
of faith and spiritual power. They were with him at the
time of his murder, and since receiving them,
Godmother Vargas continues to wear them at every
service she oversees.
No soy padre ni obispo
Soy un ser humano que solo profesa amor,paz y esperanza
Sin temor,sin dolorcon fe!!!
- Padrino Endoque
For many believers, Padrino Endoque has grown to represent the ideal Santa
Muerte devotee for Santa Muertistas to emulate. His passion, drive and focus on
faith beyond religion or politics embodies the open acceptance of Saint Death
herself.
-
Special thanks to Enriqueta Vargas, Santa Muerte Internacional, and Enrique
Hernandez Garcia for the images included in this article.
This article was co-authored by Dr. Andrew Chesnut and David Metcalfe
ThefollowingisaspecialprayerdedicatedtolaSantaMuerte,whichinvokesthehelpofPadrino
Endoquetohelpcarryherprotectionintothelivesofherdevotees.

ORACIONALASANTAMUERTEYALPADRINOENDOQUECOMANDANTE
PANTERA

Sabes bien amada Muerte

y tu Padrino Endoque Comandante Pantera
que el peligro y la aventura son
parte del camino por el que transito
en sta vida.
Permite Amada Muerte
y tu Padrino Endoque Comandante Pantera
que tu proteccin y salvaguarda estn
de mi lado, para mantener distante
peligro y amenaza.
Permite amada Muerte
y tu Padrino Endoque Comandante Pantera
que los ojos de mis opositores
no vean mi presencia ni las
huellas de mis pasos que conducen
a su templo, donde majestuosa
aguarda paciente el fin de los tiempos, AMEN.

You know well beloved Death,
And your godfather Endoque Commander Panther,
That danger and adventure are
Part of the path on which we travel
In this life.
Allow Beloved Death,
And your godfather Endoque Commander Panther,
That your protection and safeguarding are
On my side, to keep distant
Dangers and threats.
Allow beloved Death,
And your godfather Endoque Commander Panther,
That the eyes of my opponents,
Do not see my presence, nor the
Traces of my steps that lead
To your temple, where with majestic
Patience you await the end of time, AMEN.



LIMINAL ANALYTICS: APPLIED RESEARCH
COLLABORATIVE

liminal
Pronunciation: /lim-n-

l/
Function: adj
1. of or relating to a sensory threshold
2: barely perceptible
3: of, relating to, or being an intermediate state, phase, or
condition : in-between, transitional
Latin limin-, limen threshold
First Known Use: 1884
-
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