That's Fresh May Issue | Page 8

The Light Side

By Josiah Reiser

The Force is a supernatural energy that gives power to the Jedi and the Sith in the Star Wars universe. The Force interacts with the physical realm by midi-chlorians, which live in the cells of every living thing. Midi-chlorians communicate with the Force and tell you the will of the Force.

The Force can be used for knowledge and defense as the Jedi order use it or it can be used for destruction and power as the Sith use it. The Jedi are trained from a young age to use the Light side of the Force. They are taught that the Force should only be used to obtain knowledge or defend themselves or someone/something else. They are also taught that the Dark side corrupts good to evil so they must stay away from the seducing Dark side.

Every Jedi in Star Wars knows how to use the Force. With practice some become more powerful with the Force as their usage of it is tuned. Jedi variate in the concentration of midi-chlorians in their cells. This may effect their capacity to use and strength of the Force. Anakin Skywalker was the Jedi with the most known concentration of Midi-chlorians, even more then Jedi Master Yoda.

Generally the Light side of the Force is known as the good and the Dark side is known as the evil. The Jedi should represent the Light side in being self-less, peaceful, and humble.

The Force......

By Kris Smith

The energy that surrounds and penetrates everything and everyone in the Star Wars universe. The ever-flowing Force that gives power to both sides of a never-ending conflict.

The Force is manipulated by beings that are sensitive to its presence. Because of this sensitivity, they can move physical objects (no matter the size or weight), they can sense danger or another Force-sensitive person, they can feel people's thoughts and motives, and some could even heal or in rare cases restore life from death. Some use the power of the Force to ensure peace, others use its advantages for power and control. Because of these contradictory philosophies, most of these beings split into two factions: the Jedi, who walk the path of the Light side of the Force; and the Sith, who walk the path of the Dark side. Because Star Wars is not strictly Science Fiction (more of a Space Fantasy), some liken the Force to magic and the implementers are likened to a sort of wizard.

These two sides have battled for dominance of the Force for centuries. The Jedi believe the way of the Force is peace, compassion, justice, democracy, and sacrifice. The Sith, however, believe in ambition, control, hatred, anger, and self-gain. So you can see the friction they could get into. The Jedi and Sith have swapped dominion over the galaxy a few times. This is where the phrase "the balance of the Force" comes in.

Most people misunderstand what "balance" refers to. Most believe it's the balance of the light and dark side of the force, but that's not it. The balance the Jedi believe in is a balance will create peace and harmony once the Sith are destroyed. The Sith believe in sort of an elitist mindset, that anyone who aren't force-sensitive are weak and are only good as servants. George Lucas once said that the galaxy is like a body. The Jedi are in a symbiotic relationship with the Galaxy helping the inhabitants, while the Sith are like a cancer taking what they want and giving nothing back.

There's also talk of a prophecy that a man would one day bring balance to the force. That man is Anakin Skywalker. Although tempted and later consumed by the dark side of the force, Anakin (now Darth Vader) redeemed himself in episode VI by killing his former puppet master, Emperor Palpatine. But just like before, the balance for the Jedi is thrown off kilter by Commander Snoke and the Knights of Ren. How will this recent conflict end? Who will be stomped out? The Force only knows.......