As saints go, she was a practical sort, hard working, often desiring to serve whenever possible, help when needed, and solve problems as she found them. In iconography, she was often depicted bearing on her girdle a bunch of keys, holding a ladle and a cooking pot of water, with a dragon subdued beneath her feet. Though sometimes she is called Santa Marta Bella, she is clad in humble garb of green and or white. She does not carry a palm or wear a martyr's crown, since there is no official record of the manner of her death.
Legend states she lived long in her service to this world until the age of 79.
Perhaps you have not heard how she defeated the Tarascurus, a winged dragon with a head of a lion, flaming breath, and a long serpentine tail with a poisonous barb. The monster's teeth were sharper than swords and it was as wide as an ox. The beast's hide was harder than a turtle shell. Because she defeated the Tarascurus is why she is depicted dominating a dragon.
The Tarascurus or Taraque terrorized the town of Nerluc along the Rhone between Arles and Avignon. Sixteen local stout young men, armed with whatever weapons they had, confronted this monster and tried to destroy it. Eight were instantly incinerated when the Tarascurus belched flame at them. The other eight returned home, injured by the flame, but still alive.
When Santa Marta arrived in Nerluc, she saw everyone in mourning and tears. When she asked why, she heard the tale of the dragon, which emerged from its swampy lair from time to time to snatch another child. It had recently taken a young herdsman.
Resolved, Santa Marta took her pot and sought out the Tarascurus. Where the dragon dwelt, the woods were shadowy and still. Human bones, gnawed with teeth marks, were strewn along the path.
Santa Marta lured the beast with a tantalizing treat.
Some will tell you she splashed the beast with holy water, dousing its flaming breath, and bound it with her girdle, to lead it docile and powerless back to town. Some say the tantalizing treat was fresh meat wrapped around some combustible material in a lambskin. The Tarascurus, having eaten its fill, fell at her feet and burst asunder in flame. Others insist she cooked dragonroot and other herbs into a savory meat stew, which caused the monster to roll over and die. In any case, the townsfolk rejoiced at the liberation of their town from terror.
The town is now known as Tarascon and there is a church dedicated to Santa Marta or Saint Martha. Tarascon holds an annual festival, established in 1474, to celebrate the saint's defeat of the dragon.
Ah, but I will tell you another story of Santa Marta. After the fame of her dominating the dragon spread, she departed from the area. She prefered a humble life.
Where I do not know, but she and some other women set up a household together for a time so that they might maintain themselves as honorable women who had no husbands.
Santa Marta was a hard worker and kept an orderly household. The women washed laundry, baked bread, grew vegetables, and mostly supported themselves with spinning and weaving. The women also daily occupied themselves with prayers. Yet one year the peaceful household was tormented by a bevy of mice.
These mice gnawed holes in the walls, chewed on clothing, and nested in the yarn spun by the women. They were everywhere and go into everything.
One morning, Santa Marta went to the kitchen to prepare the meals and discovered the mice had gotten into the flour, causing it to spill everywhere. They ruined all they had not eaten by defecating all over it.
As she began to sweep up the mess, she spied several more making off with other foodstuff. This was intolerable.
She went out to the yard and summoned all the mice. The many mice gathered at her feet. Santa Marta reprimanded them sternly for their bad manners.
She explained that the situation was intolerable and that they would all have to leave or she would set out poison, as she had for the Tarascurus.
She also said, "I will set out some food for you on the far side of the garden wall. You must take it and depart."
She returned to the kitchen, finished cleaning, blessed it with holy water and blessed the whole house.
It is said the mice did indeed depart. For that day forward, none were ever seen in the house. Apparently they, too, had heard of the fate of the Tarascurus.
2008 Myth Woodling
Myth's notes:
If you ever need protection from danger, or confort from difficulties, pray to Santa Marta or Saint Martha on Tuesdays and light her a candle or an oil lamp.
Due to the legend of the dragon, St. Martha can be invoked as Martha Dominadora in Santeria and Espiritismo. It is said she can be a powerful ally when you need to dominate a problem or to bind or compel someone who is threatening others.
There is also a legend that credited the saint with raising a young man who drowned near Avignon. He had tried to swim across the Rhone to hear the saint's words. Out of compassion, Sanite Marthe prayed: "O Adonay Lord Jesu Christ which raisedst sometime my well beloved brother Lazarus, behold my most dear guest to the faith of them that stand here, and raise this child. Amen."