A Force power[2] was any ability that could be used by a Force-sensitive individual
using the power of the Force. These powers varied in use, but had applications in
war, healing, utility, amusement, and information-harvesting. Some such abilities,
such as enhanced reflexes and minor acts of precognition, could be accessed without
conscious application. Others, such as telekinesis or mind tricks, required acts of
will, though with training could be made to seem effortless. In certain cases,
attempting to act consciously could actually hinder one's ability to draw upon the
Force. Some abilities could only be accessed through the light side of the Force,
while others were only accessed through the dark side.
Certain abilities, such as Force barriers, were neutral and any power in theory
could be used by any trained Force-sensitive. Aside from specific abilities that
usually could only be accessed by the dark side, such as many forms Force
lightning, or the light side, such the most common means of becoming a Force
spirit, there existed neutral Force powers could be aligned to the light or the
dark depending on how they were used, such as Mind tric
Force powers were the manifestations of a Force-sensitive being's connection with
the Force, an energy field that surrounded and bound together everything in
existence. The nature and practice of such abilities were usually taught to
learners by experienced practitioners, such as the Jedi and the Sith. Some
techniques required a deep connection with either the light side or the dark side
of the Force, but many were not specific to either affinity. The Force was
practiced as a form of magic by some groups, such as the Witches of Dathomir,
Nightsisters, Mind-witches, and users of Sith magic and Sith alchemy.
Description
Overview
The Force expressed itself as the Living Force and the Unifying Force. While the
Unifying Force was vast and cosmic, part of space and time rather than physical
bodies, the Living Force was close to beings in their lives and deaths. Tangible
Force abilities—such as soothing others' emotions, moving objects, heightening the
senses, jumping, and running—were techniques related to the Living Force.[2]
The Jedi Order
"A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack."
―Former Grand Master Yoda[3]
Jedi symbol
A symbol of the Jedi Order
The Jedi Order classified abilities with the Force according to three themes:
Control, Sense, and Alter. Jedi Initiates studied Control, which was centered in
one's own body and regarded as the basic skills used throughout a being's lifetime.
Padawans progressed to Sense, extending themselves into their surrounding
environment and expanding their awareness of the Living Force. As Jedi Knights,
their education was furthered with Alter, the abilities that physically impacted
their surroundings and were the most difficult to master.[2]
The Sith
"A Sith knows when to unleash the fury of the dark side, and when to hold back.
Patience can be a weapon if you know how to use it, and your anger can fuel the
dark side if you learn how to control it."
―Darth Bane[4]
Sith Emblem
An emblem of the Sith
The Sith Purebloods developed ritual methods of manipulating the dark side of the
Force through incantations and gestures; the techniques were later adopted by the
exiled Dark Jedi on Korriban and the Order of the Sith Lords. A Sith sorcerer's
spellcasting techniques could be enhanced by the use of specific amulets or
raiments.[5]
The Sith of Darth Bane's legacy divided their powers into three schools or focuses
that channeled the dark side: Offense, Body, and Mind. Offense included skills that
were dynamic, immediately applicable to lightsaber combat, and required relatively
little exertion to deploy. Body drew upon the Living Force in one's own cells to
affect another's on the physical plane; as such, it could damage one's body and be
hindered by the presence of cybernetics. Mind, which drew upon the Unifying Force,
operated in memory and thought rather than the body or physical strength; its
disciplines demanded intense concentration and psychic clarity.[5]
Applications
By the Jedi Order
Control
Blue Glass Arrow Main article: Control
"Control is internal. It is the Jedi's ability to recognize the Force in himself
and to use it to his benefit."
―Jedi Master Bodo Baas[6]
CenterofBeing
A Jedi centers himself in preparation for combat.
The Jedi Order's teaching method began with the aspect of Control, taught to Jedi
Initiates as a way to open their minds to the Force and establish a base point for
further development. Control was centered on the Initiate's own body and self.
Development of these skills would continue throughout a Jedi's life and serve as
the foundation for subsequent disciplines.[2]
Three main abilities were centered around Control: tutaminis (energy absorption),
curato salva (healing one's own self), and altus sopor (increasing one's focus on
the Force).[2]
Control was an aspect of Force powers in the teachings of the Jedi Order. Jedi
Initiates began their studies with Control, opening their minds to the Force
through abilities centered on the Initiate's own body and self. Development of
these skills would continue throughout a Jedi's life and serve as the foundation
for subsequent disciplines.[2]
The discipline of Control was centered around three main abilities: tutaminis
(energy absorption), curato salva (healing one's own self), and altus sopor
(increasing one's focus on the Force).[2]
Sense
Blue Glass Arrow Main article: Sense
"…Sense involves the next step, in which the Jedi recognizes the Force in the
universe outside herself."
―Jedi Master Bodo Baas[6]
The Sense discipline was taught to Padawans to broaden the scope of their Control
abilities. Dipping into a deeper understanding of the Living Force, Sense abilities
allowed Force-wielders to immerse themselves in the environment. By the end of
their apprenticeship, Padawans were expected to use the Force as an additional
sense and be constantly attuned to its undulations.[2]
The Jedi Order divided Sense abilities into four main groups: prima vitae (life
detection), tactus otium (Sense Force), tai vordrax (postcognition), and projected
telepathy. While there were many other styles to the Sense family, these were
considered the most vital to Jedi teachings.[2]
Sense was an aspect of Force powers as they were taught by the Jedi Order. After
learning the foundations of Control as Jedi Initiates, Jedi apprentices advanced to
become Padawans and broadened the scope of their Control abilities through those of
Sense. Dipping into a deeper understanding of the Living Force, Sense abilities
allowed Force-wielders to immerse themselves in the environment. By the end of
their apprenticeship, Padawans were expected to use the Force as an additional
sense and be constantly attuned to its undulations.[2]
The Jedi Order divided Sense abilities into four main groups: prima vitae (life
detection), tactus otium (Sense Force), tai vordrax (postcognition), and projected
telepathy. While there were many other styles to the Sense family, these were
considered the most vital to Jedi teachings.[2]
Alter
Blue Glass Arrow Main article: Alter
"Alter is the third and most difficult area to master, for it involves the
student's ability to modify the Force and redistribute its energies."
―Jedi Master Bodo Baas[6]
YodaForceLift
Yoda using telekinesis to lift Luke Skywalker's X-wing.
The Jedi Order regarded the Alter discipline as an advanced form of Force use,
taught to Jedi Knights who had mastered the arts of Control and Sense. It involved
manipulating objects, influencing other beings, and affecting the environment. Such
abilities needed to be perfected and honed, but many non-trained Force-sensitives
stumbled upon such powers accidentally, which usually resulted in disastrous
events. Without advancing to the Alter discipline, individuals could see the Force,
but were incapable of manipulating it.[2]
The fundamental Alter techniques were: telekinesis, affect mind, and Alter
Environment.[2]
Alter was a group of Force powers in the teachings of the Jedi Order. Regarded as
an advanced form of using the Force, it was taught to Jedi Knights after they had
learned the fundamentals of Control as Jedi Initiates and Sense as Padawans. The
Alter discipline involved manipulating objects, influencing other beings, and
affecting the environment. Many non-trained Force-sensitives stumbled upon such
abilities accidentally, which usually resulted in disastrous events. The Jedi
described not progressing to the Alter discipline as being able to perceive the
Force but not manipulate it.[2]
The fundamental Alter techniques were telekinesis, affect mind, and Alter
Environment. Telekinesis was the core ability which included Force push and Force
pull. Affect mind could override the impulses of the weak-minded, and Alter
Environment allowed the user to control the natural environment. This could include
summoning a whirlwind, lightning, or other natural phenomena.[2]
Jedi career paths
Jedi Knights and Jedi Masters pursued different careers within the Order based on
their innate abilities, including their use of Force powers.[2] Jedi Consulars
emphasized the more cerebral Force skills[7] and tended to utilize those powers
rather than their lightsabers. Precognition and postcognition, healing, and strong
empathic talents were among their specialties. Jedi Guardians often used the Force
to enhance their physical capabilities, such as their reaction speed and battle
awareness, but they were better known for their talents with lightsabers. Jedi
Sentinels, as described by Jedi recruiter Morrit Ch'gally, struck a balance between
the Guardians and the Consulars and also developed more practical abilities that
did not rely upon the Force; however, some had an intuitive understanding of
machinery and technology through mechu-deru.[2]
General abilities
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force."
―Darth Vader regarding the power of the Force[1]
RieveForcePush-BattleForTheArena
Telekinesis (its Force push application, as used by Rieve, pictured) was one of the
most common uses of the Force.
A wide variety of abilities were open to those who were able to use the power of
the Force. One of the most common abilities that were utilized was telekinesis, the
ability to move or otherwise manipulate objects using only an application of the
Force.[3] Often this was used by Jedi and Sith to fling away their enemies or hurl
items at them.[4] Similarly, an ability known as Force Stasis allowed a Force user
to slow down or completely freeze an object, person, or even pure energy in place,
as demonstrated in 34 ABY by Kylo Ren, who froze a blaster bolt in mid-air during
the Attack on Tuanul.[5] Some Jedi, like Cere Junda, were capable of producing
Force barriers, such as the one used to protect Cal Kestis from Darth Vader.[6]
Mindtrick
The Force had a strong influence on weak-minded beings, making them susceptible to
the Jedi mind trick.
Another well-known ability was the mind trick, a power that could be applied to
influence the thoughts and actions of another individual, often to the user's
advantage.[1] Notably, mind tricks could only affect those with weak minds.[7]
Force visions were a powerful and mysterious ability that sometimes occurred
without conscious application in sleep, though such visions were not always
reliable. Force users were also able to, both consciously and inherently through
their connection to the Force, augment their own natural athleticism, allowing for
speed, coordination and acrobatic maneuvers beyond natural limits.[4] These
included the ability to run on walls.[6] A mind probe was a Force power which
allowed the user to search the thoughts of others.[5][7] It was possible to resist
this ability using the Force; powerful Force users could even turn the effects of
the probe around and manage a look into the mind of the user.[5] Some users of the
Force could also use their power to sedate, as Qui-Gon Jinn demonstrated on Jar Jar
Binks, or even to induce sleep and render a person unconscious, as Kylo Ren
demonstrated on Rey and Mace Windu demonstrated on Rako Hardeen.[8][5][9]
Force sense remained the most basic of Force abilities. It could be used to feel
another being's feelings, the future, ripples in the Force caused by momentous or
traumatic events, impending danger and the presence of the dark side. Closely
related also to force sense and force sight was precognition, the ability to hear
direction and whispered promptings from the Force about what lay ahead in the
immediate future. Jedi and other Force-users would use this ability to sense
impending danger, allowing the Force to warn them of a threat.[4] Jedi could also
sense the location of hidden beings or enemies from a distance, and through
barriers, allowing them to find, engage or avoid a being.[10]
Additionally, by using the Force on oneself, combined with the user's strength of
mind and will, a Force user could increase his or her resilience to harm,
especially to other Force abilities. This typically allowed both strong and skilled
practitioners of the Force to defend against another Force-user's attempt to
restrain, throw, repel, mentally influence or evaluate, or otherwise affect or harm
them with the Force. Most Force users were, therefore, less able to effectively use
the Force on each other and tend to rely on physical attacks to break their
opponents guard before attempting to use a telekinetic attack. However, those with
sufficient enough skill or power in the Force could more easily overwhelm such
defenses with less effort as well as make themselves practically immune to having
their protection broken by others, making them extremely dangerous in direct
combat.[4]
Yoda-heartache
Yoda felt the effects of Order 66 in the Force.
Disturbances in the Force were caused by serious events, such as mass death or the
presence of powerful Force users, whose signature in the Force was strong. These
disturbances could be quite powerful; when nearly all of the Jedi were killed by
Order 66, Yoda felt physical pain, despite the fact that he was on Kashyyyk,
thousands of light-years away. More minor occurrences could also cause disturbances
in the Force; when Darth Sidious killed Mace Windu, Saesee Tiin, Agen Kolar, and
Kit Fisto, Yoda again felt their deaths. It is possible that Yoda's unusual power
allowed him to feel such events while others could not, which would explain why few
other Jedi felt the deaths of either group in the way that Yoda did,[4] though Jedi
like Jaro Tapal were among those who did, which may have led such Jedi to escape to
safety.[6]
The entrance to the Jedi Temple on Lothal, as well as its gateway to the World
Between Worlds, and the holocrons used by both Jedi and Sith, could only be opened
via the Force, which protected them from outside intrusion. The painting of the
Ones on Lothal, that granted access to the World Between Worlds, could only be
opened with the light side of the Force. The only other way of entering was through
a bond with a light side user, as demonstrated by Darth Sidious when he used the
fiery energy generated by a Sith ritual to latch onto Ezra Bridger and gain
temporary access to the World Between Worlds.[11][12]
ZeroHour-BenduStorm
The Bendu manifests as a storm
Extremely powerful Force users and Force entities had access to a variety of
uncommon abilities. For example, the Father, one of the Ones, was so powerful in
the Force that he was able to touch a lightsaber blade without suffering any harm,
[13] while the Son was able to possess others.[14] Both the Son and the Daughter
were also able to shapeshift.[15] Bendu, "the one in the middle," who was neither
light nor dark, could appear and disappear at will. Under the power of Alter
Environment, the Bendu could appear as and create massive storms with the Force.
[16]
Strong Force users could teleport, like the Force wielders, the Nightsisters or
Dorwin Corvax.[6][13] The latter had the ability to suspend time.[17]
Light side abilities
"All energy from the Living Force, from all things that have ever lived, feeds into
the cosmic Force, binding everything and communicating to us through the midi-
chlorians. Because of this, I can speak to you now."
―The spirit of Qui-Gon Jinn, communing with Yoda[18]
JediGhosts-ROTJ
The Jedi Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, and Obi-Wan Kenobi retained their consciousness
after becoming one with the Force.
The ability to retain consciousness as Force spirit after death was a rare Force
power known only to certain orders, such as the Force Priestesses and a select few
Jedi. Use of this ability required special training, but one who mastered it could
continue to have an influence in the realm of the living even upon the death of
their physical body.[14] This influence extended to Force use, as evidenced by Yoda
destroying Ahch-To's uneti tree with lightning.[19]
Yoda, when fighting Count Dooku and Darth Sidious, was able to absorb Force
lightning with his hands, and, in his duel with Dooku, deflect it back toward the
Sith.[20][4] It was also possible to deflect Force lightning with a lightsaber.[4]
Several Jedi, like Quinlan Vos and Cal Kestis, had an ability called psychometry,
which allowed the user to sense the events associated with an object or location.
This ability could be quite vivid, and could include visuals and sounds. The
ability was innate, though practice was required to master the skill.[6]
It was possible for Jedi to tame animals with the Force.[21]
At least one Jedi, Sta-Den Eekin, was able to use his power to cloud the minds of
large crowds.[22]
Luke Skywalker believed that the Force manifested itself in Leia as her strength of
will.[23]
Luke Skywalker displayed the ability to use Force projection across the galaxy,
sending a lifelike image of himself from Ahch-To to Crait, light-years away. This
projection was so realistic that Kylo Ren could not detect any deception until he
tried and failed to strike Skywalker down with his lightsaber. However, the strain
of creating such a projection proved to be fatal for Skywalker, who was still
reconnecting with the Force after previously severed his connection.[19] A similar
form of projection, used by Yoda, allowed a Force user to communicate with another
who was thousands of light-years away.[24]
A number of Force users, including Yoda,[10] Grogu,[25] Rey, and Ben Solo,
demonstrated the ability to use Force healing, an ability that allowed them to heal
injuries and remove poisons[25] by transferring life force from the healer, which
could be recovered by resting or meditating.[26][27] In the rare case of a Force
dyad, the power could even resurrect the recently deceased, albeit at the cost of
the user's own life. Ben Solo used this ability to resurrect Rey in 35 ABY.[26]
The light side of the Force, also known as Ashla,[2] was one of two methods of
using the Force. The light side was aligned with calmness, peace, and passiveness,
and was used only for knowledge and defense.[1] The Jedi were notable practitioners
of the light, being selfless servants of the will of the Force,[3] and their
enemies, the Sith followed the dark side of the Force.[4]
Essence of the light side
Selflessness
"You don't understand what you're asking me to do."
"Yes, I do; you can't save your master, and I can't save mine. I'm asking you to
let go."
―Ezra Bridger is guided by Ahsoka Tano to let go[5]
Love is letting go
The light side of the Force was selflessness; the Jedi's purpose was exemplified by
their acts of altruism and letting go.
The light side of the Force was selflessness. Its Jedi practitioners lived in the
present,[4] clearing their mind, letting go of their consciousness, and listening
to the Force, acting on instinct.[6] The Jedi Order, which was devoted to the light
side of the Force,[7] had the core principle of being the guardians of peace and
justice,[8] which was exemplified by their altruism during the High Republic Era.
[9] As decreed by the Jedi Code,[10] Jedi were committed to compassion—
unconditional love for all living things.[4] Compassionate actions extended to
dying, as a member of the Jedi Order believed in loss in the service of a greater
good. Recognizing this gave one mastery in the Force, allowing a Jedi to repel
spirit.[11] The anchorite sect, bound to the Order and aligned with the light side
of the Force, believed that suffering was the basis of life; that one should not
ask for a life of any merit, for self-sacrifice is reward enough.[12]
The Force did not belong to the Jedi or any other organization—some individuals who
were not part of any religion also believed in selflessness. Such included the
Spectres rebel cell, whose leader, Hera Syndulla, taught the young Ezra Bridger
that when one finds people who need one's help, one helps them no matter what, and
that if all one does is fight for their own life, then one's life is worth nothing.
[13]
Balance of the Force
Description
"We call upon the Three. Light. Dark. And Balance true. One is no greater than the
others. Together, they unite, restore, center, and renew. We walk into the light,
acknowledge the dark, and find balance within ourselves. The Force is strong."
―Incantation recited by Dooku, Lene Kostana, and Sifo-Dyas[14]
Immortal
Those who have wholly devoted themselves to the Force were able to retain their
consciousness after death, achieving immortality by becoming one with the Cosmic
Force.
Balance in the Force—harmony between all life—was achieved and maintained through
understanding and accepting the dark side of the Force that exists within oneself,
while serving the light side of the Force; practitioners of this method, namely
Jedi, devoted themselves to the will of the Force,[3][1] acting in accordance to
the symbiotic relationship between the Living Force and the Cosmic Force—the
transformation of the energy of all life to the greater energy field that bound
everything—by submitting to the Cosmic Force and what it communicated to them
through the midi-chlorians.[15]
History
The Chosen One
Blue Glass Arrow Main article: Chosen One
"A Chosen One shall come, born of no father, and through him will ultimate balance
in the Force be restored."
―A Jedi prophecy[16]
The-Chosen-Ones-Chooses-Nature
Anakin Skywalker was a Jedi Knight and the prophesied Chosen One destined to bring
balance to the Force.
Prior to the fall of the Galactic Republic, there was an ancient prophecy that
foretold of a being that would bring balance to the Force: the Chosen One.[4] The
Jedi Order believed the Chosen One would destroy the Sith and bring balance to the
Force.[17] Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn discovered a human boy on Tatooine with no
father—Anakin Skywalker—and believed him to be possibly conceived by the midi-
chlorians, as the prophecy foretold. Skywalker was trained as a Jedi by Jinn's
Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi,[4] but he fell to the dark side of the Force in his
inability to let go of his lover, Padmé Amidala, and in his self-hatred and lust
for power, became apprenticed to the Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Sidious as Darth
Vader.[17] However, years later,[18] the son of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala,
the Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker, swayed Vader to sacrifice himself to destroy Darth
Sidious.[19] With the Sith extinct, Anakin Skywalker thus fulfilled the prophecy of
the Chosen One and brought balance to the Force.[20][21]
The dyad
Blue Glass Arrow Main article: Force dyad
"My mother was the daughter of Vader. Your father was the son of the Emperor. What
Palpatine doesn't know is we're a dyad in the Force, Rey. Two that are one."
―Kylo Ren, to Rey[22]
Ben-and-Rey-on-Exegol
Rey, the granddaughter of Darth Sidious, and Ben Solo, the grandson of Anakin
Skywalker, formed a rare and powerful Force dyad.
After the Chosen One restored balance to the Force, Force-sensitives Ben Solo, the
grandson of Anakin Skywalker, and Rey,[22] the secret granddaughter of Darth
Sidious,[23] who trained as a Jedi under Luke Skywalker[22] and his sister, Leia
Organa, came to the forefront of the war between the First Order and the
Resistance. The two were eventually bonded by the Force into one entity before it;
a unique dyadic Force-bond[24] that transcended physical and mental barriers
between the individuals. Through their bond, Ben Solo and Rey were able to destroy
the last Sith Lord, a revived Darth Sidious, and thus return balance to the Force
as Anakin Skywalker had.[23]
Force powers
Blue Glass Arrow Main article: Force power
"A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense… never for attack."
―Yoda, to Luke Skywalker[1]
The light side of the Force was primarily used for defensive abilities as opposed
to aggressive ones.[1] Compared to the dark side, the light side was more difficult
to use in battle as emotions such as hate, anger, and fear are all natural to
sentient life in such contests. This allowed users of the dark side to advance in
their mastery of combative aspects of the Force more quickly than their light side
counterparts.[source?] However, according to Yoda, the dark side was not more
powerful than the light side in and of itself, but was merely "quicker, easier,
more seductive."[1]
Garro lets go
Garro restored balance to his world by letting go of his power, returning it to the
rocks for life to live in harmony.
However, practitioners of the light side possessed abilities that users of the dark
side often lacked. Light side practitioners were able to "heal" a bled kyber
crystal, which were reddened by dark side users, restoring them to a pure form.[25]
Some users of the light side knew the technique to heal wounds.[26] The Jedi Order
also had an ancient technique called Morichro, an art which allowed the user to
slow down the bodily functions of an opponent to the point of death. Master Yaddle
was the only Jedi known to use this ability as it was very dangerous.[27] The light
side could be used to form defensive barriers, such as the one used by Cere Junda
to defend Cal Kestis.[28]
JediGhosts-ROTJ
Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, and Obi-Wan Kenobi retained their identities after death,
becoming spirits in the Force.
An adherent of the light side could also master the ability of becoming a Force
spirit, which allowed the user to preserve their consciousness after death and
manifest as a spirit to commune with the living, without the need of a relic
binding them to they physical world. With this power, some Force spirits were
capable of demonstrating extraordinary feats such as calling down lightning and
interacting with the mortal world.[22] Force spirits included Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi,
Anakin Skywalker,[19] Luke Skywalker, and Leia Skywalker Organa Solo.[23]
Qui-Gon Jinn was the first person to discover this method of achieving immortality,
but died before mastering it. Jinn mastered eternal consciousness, but for a time
he could not appear as a blue tinted version of his physical form and instead came
back as a disembodied voice.[15] Almost a decade later, Jinn mastered the
intricacies of being a Force spirit, which he demonstrated when he appeared to Obi-
Wan on Tatooine in a nearly corporeal form that was practically indistinguishable
from how he had appeared in life.[29]
