In episode 3 of The Acolyte, we saw the nature of the dark side and the origin of its power
A fun easter egg in The Acolyte Episode 3 shows a wonderful nod to mythology and hints at the nature of the dark side. Taking place before the events of the first two episodes, this episode shows the origins of Osha Anisea (Amandla Stenberg) and her twin sister Mae. The ascension ceremony of young women with witches’ coven presents a fascinating parallel to the origins of its power and its users.
Easter egg in episode 3
Osha and May, raised by witches on the planet, are about to be inducted into the ranks of the coven in a grand ascension ceremony in Acolyte Episode 3. Led by Mother Anicea, who used her rare powers to create the twins, this ceremony is under the light of the twin moons of Brennok. These moons are similar to the ones seen on The Acolyte’s logo, but tie into the established canon of the more interesting Star Wars Legends and Force themes.
During the Ascension Ceremony, Brandok’s red and blue moons eclipse the night sky as Mother Anicea and her coven perform a powerful ceremony before leading Ocean and Mai to their ranks. These twin moons are reminiscent of the ancient Jedi world of Tithon and its own moons. Tyton was associated with the origin of the Jedi Order, and many scholars believe that it may have been the site of their first temple (although it was actually Ahch-To, where Luke Skywalker was later exiled).
Roll on Legends.
The Titans are part of the established Star Wars canon thanks to Marvel’s Darth Vader and Doctor Aphra series of comics. However, the planet’s most notable appearance in live action was in The Mandalorian’s second season, when Grog meditated on the Seer Stone before being captured by the remains of the Emperor. However, the importance of Tithon’s moons has largely remained in non-canonical mythology (until now).
In legend, the ancient Jedi were said to contemplate the nature of the Tithonian moons Ashla and Bogan. This helped them develop the concept of the light and dark aspects of the Force. Ashla and Bogan are the first names of the light side and the dark side, thanks to Star Wars Rebels when they were named after the powerful entity that represents the mysterious force-sense known as the Bendu. Therefore, Braddock’s moons serve as key parallels to Titon’s moons.
Titon connection and its meaning
Given the narrative connection to Titon and his moons, Braddock’s moons represent a fundamental truth about the dark side of power. Like Ashla and Bogan, Brendoch’s moons appear to be in natural orbits, existing simultaneously and possibly representing the two aspects of power. This indicates that the dark side is as natural as the light side, an important aspect of energy that must be recognized and cannot be completely destroyed. Both are necessary to achieve true balance in power.
It is no coincidence that Osha and May were born as twins in the Force and that their Ascension ceremony takes place on a world with twin moons. The narrative parallels are absolutely powerful, including the idea that while Osha and Mai end up taking very different paths as they grow up, their destinies are clearly intertwined as the lines between good/evil and light/dark. Perhaps it will continue to fade as the series progresses.
Oshan’s rejection of the moon
In episode 3 of The Acolyte, Brendock’s moons were seen eclipsing and approaching alignment. This suggests that the Braddock witches, led by Mother Anicea, believe in balance rather than one against the other. This probably ties in with his philosophy of the Force, that the force field that unites all living beings in the galaxy is truly a “great thread” that binds them all together, allowing the power of one person to be greater than the power of two, and then many, according to the Covenant of Unity Wizards.
Osha ultimately rejected the proposal presented by Braddock Moons. When Mae entered the coven, Osha chose to become a Jedi to test both girls after the Ascension ceremony was interrupted by four Jedi. Osha eventually became the apprentice of Jedi Master Sol, and it can’t be a coincidence that “Sol” is Latin for “Sun.” However, Osha not following her Jedi path could be important as the Star Wars series continues, suggesting that restoring balance may be her and possibly Mae’s ultimate goal, as revealed in The Acolyte premiere.
Episode 3 of Acolyte is now available. New episodes premiere Tuesdays on Disney+.