Häxor och populärkultur. En studie om konsumtionen av populärkultur och dess påverkan på häxors praktik i Sverige.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine if the reception of popular culture amongst witches in Sweden today has influenced their practices (ie. adapting something new, changing already existing practices etc.). To gather material for this study I have chosen interviews as the main method. The interviews were conducted mainly through skype and e-mail. I have chosen to use both Christopher Patridge's theory about popular culture and Patridge himself as an inspiration for the analysis. By defining and adapting his theory I have been able to conduct a modified thesis, which has been the main basis for analyzing the material. This thesis reads as follows: popular culture has been an important source of inspiration for the creation and shaping of practices for witches. It can be concluded in this work that popular culture has influenced witches' practice. Two of the interviewees acknowledged that the consumption of popular culture has had a direct influence in their practice. Through the analysis it can be concluded that there are three practices realized within their practice and these are: religious tourism (the interviewee would like to visit the places named in particular books), ingredients (such as herbs used for medical purpose) and the practice of documentation (that you write down everything involving your practice, such as spells and rites). The majority of the interviewees felt that popular culture served as an inspiration and not as a direct influence on their practice, although through the analysis and discussion it is ensured that the inspiration in some cases have been so significant that it has been realized in everyday life.