Unleashing the Mystical Power: Decoding the Enigmatic Witches in Star Wars

Highlights

Ahsoka has expanded the lore of witches in Star Wars, showcasing their unique connection to the Force and their non-combative magical abilities.

Witches like Morgan Elsbeth prioritize mental techniques such as telepathy, psychometry, illusions, and clairvoyance, instead of relying on their Force magic for combat. Their understanding of the Force is as a sentient entity, and they maintain a symbiotic connection with it, seeing it as an extension of their own existence and nurturing communal ties amongst themselves.

Ahsoka has significantly expanded the lore of witches in Star Wars and their connection to the Force. Traditionally, the franchise has focused mainly on Jedi and Sith as the dominant and formidable Force-sensitives in the galaxy. However, Morgan Elsbeth, a Force-sensitive witch, has gained recognition for her strength in battling Ahsoka using both the beskar spear and the Sword of Talzin.

The introduction of witches in the Star Wars universe onscreen began with Asajj Ventress in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Asajj was born into the ancient order of Nightsisters on Dathomir as a Force-sensitive witch. After being separated from her coven, she experienced a journey that led her to become a slave, a Jedi Padawan, and ultimately Count Dooku's Sith apprentice. Unfortunately, Asajj did not exhibit any distinct Force-magic techniques in the series, most likely due to her early separation from her coven. Nevertheless, the live-action debut of witches in Ahsoka has brought much-needed attention to the role of witches in the Star Wars universe.

How Witches Use The Force In Star Wars

The Nightsisters' role in Ahsoka has not yet showcased their ability to utilize their Force-magic in direct combat. This may be attributed to their unique connection with the Force, which differs from that of Jedi and Sith. Unlike the Jedi and Sith who rely on their emotions to control the Force, whether by suppressing or leveraging them, the witches have a different approach. Instead of using their Force magic for battle, the witches devote their attention to mental techniques such as telepathy, psychometry, illusions, and clairvoyance.

In the realm of Jedi, these lesser-known psychic Force powers that require intense mental focus are predominantly used by Jedi wielding green lightsabers. A green lightsaber often symbolizes a wielder who avoids physical confrontation and prioritizes mental training over physical prowess. Morgan Elsbeth's possession of green Force powers aligns with this disposition as she refrains from engaging in battles unless absolutely necessary and values ancient wisdom over sheer physical strength.

The Witches Of Dathomir

However, the fundamental distinction between the Jedi/Sith and the witches lies in their perception of the Force. While the Jedi and Sith view the Force as a means to be harnessed, a weapon, a source of power, a tool, or even a gift, the witches perceive the Force as a sentient entity, much like the way one perceives nature. Unlike the Jedi and Sith, the witches do not see the Force as something to be wielded; to them, it is the essence of life itself. It is something to be embraced, embodied, and united with.

Dathomir, a planet shrouded in darkness, serves as a sanctuary for those who harness the power of the Dark Side of the Force. Its rich tapestry is dominated by a culture comprised predominantly of witches. Previously overshadowed in the Star Wars universe, Dathomir has become the dwelling place for a multitude of witch clans and covens. These factions have honed their unique brand of Force sorcery, encompassing the creation of elixirs, voodoo practices, as well as the extraordinary abilities to teleport and become invisible. Episode 8 of Ahsoka astounded fans by unveiling the Nightsisters' astonishing aptitude to materialize Mother Talzin's mystical blade seemingly out of nothingness and resurrect zombies from the bodies of fallen stormtroopers. Mother Talzin herself, revered as one of the Nightsisters' most formidable figures, possessed the extraordinary capability to employ her magic for the purposes of healing.

The Nightsisters perceive magic as an inherent part of themselves, as well as present in nature and the surrounding mist. Similar to Qui-Gon Jinn, a wielder of the green lightsaber, they hold the belief that the Force is a living entity, although this viewpoint is not widely accepted among Jedi. Witches, even those not aligned with the Sith, tap into the Force as an extension of their own life force, resulting in extended lifespans such as Mother Talzin's. This connection establishes a bond not only among the witches but also with the Force itself, enabling them to use it to sense the well-being and location of fellow witches across space. The Nightsisters on Peridea possessed such powerful telepathy that they could transmit visions to Morgan Elsbeth, a witch they had never encountered before, spanning across galaxies. Remarkably, their psychic Force powers surpass even those of Yoda and Ahsoka.

Although the witches primarily focus on defensive and non-combative facets of magic, they are still able to pose a threat to both Jedi and Sith through alternative means. Some Dathomiri witches are skilled warriors, wielding enchanted blades and luminous arrows. Nevertheless, due to their symbiotic relationship with the Force, they are less inclined to engage in unnecessary violence. Additionally, it remains unclear how proficient the witches are in combat magic as there is still much left to explore in the expansive universe of Star Wars. A potential surprise lies in Ahsoka and Grand Admiral Thrawn's motives for venturing to Dathomir, which could involve recruiting various types of witches to serve in Thrawn's new Empire army.