Southern Bramble: a Podcast of Crooked Ways Season 5, Episode 19: Hickety Pickety with Kelden Mercury
Oct 21, 2025
Kelden Mercury, an author and folklorist, dives into the realms of folklore and witchcraft, inspired by her book, Hickety Pickety. She explores the nuances between folklore and official culture, and how family traditions shape contemporary witchcraft. Kelden shares fascinating insights on myths, urban legends, and even nursery rhymes as magical tools. Additionally, she discusses the impact of trial transcripts on modern practices and critiques narrow definitions of 'tradition' in witchcraft, urging a broader understanding of this dynamic field.
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Folklore Is Traditional And Mutable
- Folklore is a body of unofficial culture that is both traditional and variable.
- It transmits communally and adapts as it spreads to meet folk needs.
Unofficial Culture Versus Official Culture
- Folklore sits in unofficial culture versus official culture like laws or mass media.
- As folklore is passed it naturally changes; immutability kills its purpose.
Family Recipes As Living Folklore
- Kelden uses recipes as an example of folklore: family notes transform a published recipe into unique tradition.
- Those marginal notes teach what the printed recipe cannot.
