This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 7.
Summary
- Ahsoka episode 7 reveals that the Nightsisters of Dathomir originated from the distant planet Peridea, ruled by a Zeffo named Kujet.
- The Nightsisters’ use of dark magick is different from the Sith’s use of the Force, as they tap into the dark side indirectly and cooperate with each other.
- The symbols and designs associated with the Sith, such as the red triangle, may have been drawn from the ancient civilization of Peridea, suggesting a connection between the Sith and the Nightsisters.
One subtle detail in Ahsoka hints at the history of the ancient Sith, and the source of some of their most potent dark side symbols. Ahsoka has rewritten the history of the Star Wars galaxy, revealing it was once part of a vast intergalactic civilization – one that appears to be rooted in the dark side of the Force. The Nightsisters of Dathomir actually originated from the distant planet Peridea, situated in another galaxy, and they were ruled by a Zeffo named Kujet.
The ancient history of the Star Wars galaxy has always been something of a mystery, riddled with unanswered questions about the origins of both the Jedi and the Sith. These reveals go back even further, though, and they raise even more questions – notably about just what happened to this intergalactic civilization in the first place. It clearly collapsed, becoming the stuff of legend, but the cause of this collapse has yet to be determined. Ahsoka is, however, bringing back some of these ancient powers; the Great Mothers of Peridea are working with Thrawn, and their dark magick is clearly drawn from the same sources. Ahsoka episode 7 may have subtly revealed their enduring influence on the galaxies.
The Great Mothers’ Red Triangle Is Surprising Sith Iconography
Although both are rooted in the dark side, Nightsister magick is different to Sith use of the Force. Nightsisters tap into the dark side indirectly, meaning they are not consumed by its power, and they are not driven to compete against one another; instead, they cooperate, synergizing their abilities. The Great Mothers demonstrate this in Ahsoka episode 7, using a tracking spell. When they do so, the Force bends around them in the pattern of a red triangle. This design perfectly matches one of the ancient sybols of the Sith.
The three Nightsisters are clearly patterned on the Greek fates (their names are riffs on these), blended with the three witches from Macbeth (hence the episode title). The implication is that, just as in legends of witchcraft in the real world, three is the optimum number for Great Mothers to work together. This would presumably mean triangle effects are commonplace among the Nightsisters – and they left this legacy behind them.
The Sith Symbols Could Be Drawn From Legends Of The Nightsisters
Triangles and pyramidal shapes have always been linked to the dark side of the Force. A red triangle is the symbol of the Sith, even representing the portal to the Sith world of Malachor in the World Between Worlds, and many of their structures have been pyramidal. This has always seemed odd, because the Sith should really be expected to venerate the number two; their sacred Rule of Two is based on the idea of there only ever being two Sith at any one time, and this is a corrupted version of the Doctrine of the Dyad, which also venerates two. Ahsoka episode 7 may, however, have finally explained this apparent philosophical inconsistency.
Ahsoka has already confirmed the Sith adopted some elements of this long-forgotten, intergalactic dark side civilization into their own culture and philosophy. The Sith language of ur-Kittât, which has long been also known as the Old Tongue, is now confirmed to be derived from the Zeffo and the Nightsisters of Peridea. The same could be true for other elements too; it’s possible so many of the secrets of the dark side unlocked by the Sith were stolen from the Zeffo and the Perideans, explaining why many of the different Sith beliefs seem discordant.
Peridea Really Is Where The Cycle Of Light & Dark Began
Baylan Skoll, of course, has his own agenda. He has come to Peridea because he believes this to be the place where the cycle of conflict between the light side and the dark first began – a conflict he clearly feels predates even the birth of the Jedi some 25,000 years ago. The triangular iconography used by the Great Mothers, reproduced in some of the architecture on Peridea, suggests he is right. The Nightsisters were part of the first dark side empire, one greater in scale than anything even Palpatine could have dreamed of, and they were presumably overthrown by the light – but left a legacy.
The traces of the dark side left behind after the collapse of this intergalactic empire have had a corruptive effect on the galaxies. In the main Star Wars galaxy, the language and iconography of Peridea was co-opted by the Sith, incorporated into their own beliefs along with other elements they discovered from different dark side cults. It’s even possible this is the true origin of the Sith; that, 5,000 years before the Skywalker saga, Jedi made an ill-advised study on ur-Kittât and were corrupted by it. ur-Kittât is known to be powerful in the dark side, calling to those who have darkness within them.
What is uncertain, of course, is exactly what Baylan believes he can do now he has arrived on Peridea. The dark Jedi is convinced there’s a way to break the cycle that has consumed galaxies and civilizations for longer than recorded history in the Star Wars galaxy, but it’s impossible to say how he thinks that can be achieved without knowing what is calling to him. Still, there’s a fascinating parallel between the call Baylan is sensing and the one ur-Kittât exerts on those who are most vulnerable to it. It really does feel as though all Ahsoka‘s ancient clues are coming together, potentially leading to the resurgence of a threat from beyond the dawn of time – one so dangerous it predates the Jedi and the Sith.
Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesdays at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET on Disney+.