Star Wars Rebels: 10 years of the World Between Worlds

As a seasoned gamer and Star Wars enthusiast with over two decades of immersion in the galaxy far, far away, I can confidently say that the World Between Worlds has left an indelible mark on my imagination. This intriguing concept introduced in Star Wars Rebels serves as a testament to the depth and complexity of George Lucas’ vision for the Star Wars universe.

Approaching the tenth anniversary of “Star Wars Rebels,” enthusiasts of this beloved series should pause for a moment and savor something truly unique – a remarkable novelty that significantly expanded the Star Wars cosmos: The Vergence Scatter, often referred to as the Intermediate Realm.

In the distant reaches of the galaxy, this peculiar setting felt out of place within the Star Wars universe when first introduced, and that still holds true today. Yet, it was George Lucas who played a significant role in the creation of “Star Wars Rebels,” giving his approval as Dave Filoni and Henry Gilroy conceptualized it. Therefore, we should view it primarily as a glimpse into Lucas’ perspective on the cosmic elements of Star Wars, his views on the Force, and the genesis of the galaxy as a whole.

Peering Beyond Death in Star Wars

In the Star Wars universe, the World Between Worlds is unique because it’s the initial instance where we have a glimpse beyond death and straight into the enigmas surrounding the Force.

In a well-crafted fictional universe, the religions of the characters are intricately developed to such an extent that they extend beyond the boundaries of life and death. It’s captivating to notice parallels between the World Between Worlds and certain Earthly religious cosmologies. One might wonder if Lucas, Filoni, and Gilroy intended for the World Between Worlds to echo beliefs about death and the meaning of life on our own planet.

As a passionate gamer, I share Natalie Portman’s perspective: “I don’t subscribe to the concept of an afterlife; I believe this existence is all there is.” Many religious beliefs, however, contradict this view, proposing that beyond death, we transit through a realm like the ‘World Between Worlds,’ preparing for our next life. Yet, in my gaming world, each level presents new challenges and possibilities, making the current reality the most captivating and rewarding to explore.

Hinduism posits that individual souls are detached from an ultimate or universal soul, embarking on a series of educational journeys across multiple lifetimes, striving to reunite with the ultimate soul. This is reminiscent of Qui-Gon Jinn’s Cosmic vs. Living Force dichotomy in Star Wars. Similarly, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism advocate for these ideas. Moreover, astrologers often observe this concept in birth charts, while many tarot readers embrace it as a belief. It’s a core principle of New Age philosophy too.

Based on various belief systems and individuals reporting near-death experiences, it’s often suggested that after death, the spirit travels through a tunnel towards a place resembling Heaven, guided by a powerful light. This concept can be likened to paths seen in the realm between realms, which are believed to lead to this destination. Here, one might undergo a life review and plan their next life, as described in New Age and Eastern religious beliefs.

In the Star Wars saga, it’s unclear where the passages through the World Between Worlds ultimately lead – we haven’t come across that yet. However, their existence suggests they might lead somewhere, which seems contradictory to the common belief in Star Wars that souls merge with the Cosmic Force upon death. Interestingly, there are exceptions like Jedi such as Qui-Gon Jinn who have learned to evade this and reappear to the Living Force as Force spirits or ghosts.

Among the various paths visible in the World Between Worlds, it’s the portals that captivate our sight and hearing, accompanied by familiar voices and sounds that beckon to characters who’ve had a brush with death or stumbled upon this realm unintentionally, like Ahsoka Tano and Ezra Bridger. Lord Sidious seeks to manipulate these portals to rewrite history, suggesting they provide access to alternate paths a character might have taken in their life, leading to an alternate universe that mirrors our own… or perhaps exists concurrently in another reality.

In simpler terms, there are real-life comparisons for this concept, particularly in astrology and New Age beliefs. As a budding astrologer, I’ve observed transits in birth charts that hint at different paths people could have followed in their lives. What’s intriguing is that contemporary science also ponders the possibility of multiple parallel realities or universes existing alongside ours.

Star Wars Rebels: 10 years of the World Between Worlds

Where It Doesn’t Make Sense

Nonetheless, there are inconsistencies to address. The layout of the World Between Worlds seems to present routes that lead us to locations we haven’t explored yet. Moreover, in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, both Rey and Palpatine’s parties include Jedi and Sith who have passed away, haven’t manifested as Force spirits, and should have been absorbed into the Cosmic Force. Alternatively, the Sith were believed to have plunged into an unalterable state of disorder.

Is there a chance that the complexities surrounding the Star Wars afterlife, cosmos, and their functioning will eventually be clarified for dedicated Star Wars enthusiasts?

It’s possible, yet also not entirely certain, but the impact of the World Between Worlds on Star Wars over the last decade has been significant. This fresh, enigmatic facet of the galaxy has given us a new dimension to ponder upon. Moreover, we now have an intriguing origin story in the Mortis Gods, which have been etched onto the walls of the Temple at Lothal.

If it weren’t for the World Between Worlds, we wouldn’t have experienced the fulfilling resolution of Anakin’s bond with his former Padawan, a moment that was recently portrayed in the series “Ahsoka“.

It’s possible that the realm known as the World Between Worlds doesn’t follow logical rules. Instead, it might be meant to spark creativity and awe, much like Star Wars has been doing so for nearly half a century.

2024-09-16 18:52