‘Ahsoka’ introduces kids to Paganism in Star Wars.
Warning: spoilers ahead!
Star Wars has always relied on mythical archetypes, but the newest television series takes a dive into occult and pagan realms. Instead of delivering an engaging story, “Star Wars: Ahsoka” focuses its energy on a female-centric cast and the animated characters from “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars: Rebels” who have now come to life. It’s self-indulgent and frankly, quite boring.
However, things take a turn and get weird in episode six when the character Morgan Elsbeth encounters a trio of bona fide witches known as the Great Mothers. These witches are named after the Greek fates and possess a unique form of the Force called majik.
If you’re not familiar with the extensive Star Wars lore or haven’t watched all the seasons of “The Clone Wars” and “Rebels,” the introduction of pagan elements might catch you off guard. The Force, as described by Obi-Wan in “A New Hope,” has always had an Eastern and Buddhist influence, with its emphasis on an energy field connecting all living things. However, the extended canon of Star Wars has allowed storytellers to expand on this foundation.
The Old Force and the New Majik
According to Wookiepedia, these witches in the Star Wars universe tap into an “aspect” of the Force through ancient rituals, talismans, and voodoo dolls. They derive their power from living sacrifices and certain planets with malevolent energy. Their rituals, as depicted in “The Clone Wars,” are genuinely creepy, regardless of your age. Their majik grants them abilities such as resurrecting the dead as zombies, inflicting pain from a distance, creating invisibility potions, teleportation, and transforming ordinary creatures into monsters.
If all of this sounds like standard pagan fare, that’s because it is. Their witchcraft instills fear in both Jedi and Sith. While their presence in the Star Wars universe is not new, seeing these terrifying figures in live action brings a whole new level of intensity.
In “Ahsoka,” these witches don matching red robes with gray face paint. When a Great Mother speaks, her voice is accompanied by a chorus of others. They form an unholy trinity, drawing triangles in the air among themselves. When the secret map to their location is unlocked, the galaxy is overlaid with a triquetra, a traditional Trinitarian symbol.
A Children’s Show?
All this witchcraft and paganism seems especially bizarre considering the rest of the show feels like it’s geared towards kids. The slow-moving plot revolves around two angsty teen apprentices, Sabine Wren and Sith apprentice Shin Hati. Sabine has a tense, almost mother-daughter relationship with her master Ahsoka Tano, sporting rebellious purple and orange hair. Shin Hati, on the other hand, rocks bleach-blonde hair and thick black eyeliner, embodying the emo aesthetic. Their masters, Baylen Skoll and Ahsoka Tano, respectively, display patience and care despite the challenges posed by their apprentices.
General Syndulla, a widow and working mom, also plays a role in the story as she balances caring for her young son with investigating the Imperial remnants. However, the tenderness displayed by these characters feels out of place when they finally confront the Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn and the Nightsisters.
After five episodes of emotional turmoil and familial conflicts, the sudden appearance of frightening witches, a ruthless Thrawn, and a chanting army of spooky stormtroopers feels jarring. And thus, the unnatural majik begins in earnest.
Satanic Distortions of Baptism and Resurrection
One of the mercenaries accompanying Skoll and Noti, named Marrok, meets a gruesome fate when Ahsoka slashes him with her lightsaber, causing his body to dissolve into green mist (a common manifestation of Nightsister majik). The stormtroopers serving under Grand Admiral Thrawn wear red ribbons around their armor, matching the color of the Nightsisters’ robes, and are referred to as “Night Troopers.”
These Night Troopers, led by Captain Enoch, share a name with the Biblical figure who did not experience death. In the finale, when a squad of troops is slain, the Great Mothers begin chanting in an unknown language. Green mist enters the fallen troopers, reanimating them to continue fighting. For the first time in live action, we witness zombie stormtroopers.
In the same finale, Morgan Elsbeth receives the gift of shadows from the Great Mothers. She undergoes a ritual that echoes a baptismal ceremony, pledging herself to the sisterhood, the majiks, and the old ways. The ritual involves a laying on of hands, causing Morgan’s eyes and head to glow, followed by a transformation in her appearance. The witches then conjure the blade of Talzin out of thin air.
Expect More Paganism
The season concludes with Morgan’s demise, but the Great Mothers and Thrawn are freed from exile. Skoll discovers giant statues representing the gods of Mortis, a trio of warring god-like beings from “The Clone Wars.”
All these villains remain at large by the end of the season. Given the timeline of upcoming Star Wars shows, including “The Mandalorian,” “Ahsoka,” “The Book of Boba Fett,” and an upcoming movie that combines them all, it’s safe to say that paganism will continue to play a significant role in the Star Wars universe.
How does the scene in which Elsbeth offers up his life force to the witches bear similarities to the concept of baptism and resurrection in Christian theology?
Nied by Elsbeth attempts to escape death by offering up his life force to the witches. Instead of dying, he is transformed into a zombie-like creature, stripped of his identity and free will. This scene bears striking similarities to the concept of baptism and resurrection in Christian theology, but with a twisted and demonic twist.
Throughout the series, the witches engage in dark rituals that involve human sacrifice and blood magic. These practices are heavily reminiscent of occult practices and are certainly not suitable for a children’s show. The messages and themes presented in “Star Wars: Ahsoka” are far from the light-hearted adventures and moral lessons that fans have come to expect from the franchise.
Furthermore, it’s concerning that the show seems to put a greater emphasis on female characters and their stories at the expense of a well-rounded narrative. While representation and diversity are important, it should not come at the expense of a coherent and engaging storyline.
Conclusion
“Star Wars: Ahsoka” ventures into uncharted territory with its exploration of occult, pagan, and dark mystical elements. While it’s understandable that storytellers would want to expand the Star Wars universe, it’s important to question the appropriateness of these themes in a children’s show. The introduction of witches, blood magic, and human sacrifice is undoubtedly unsettling and raises concerns about the direction the franchise is taking.
Ultimately, “Star Wars: Ahsoka” fails to deliver an engaging and coherent story, focusing instead on shock value and self-indulgence. The importance of maintaining the core values and themes of the Star Wars franchise should not be forgotten in the pursuit of novelty and experimentation.
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