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Apart from one of the biggest theatre successes of all time,
the Star Wars movies are also one of the largest on-screen renditions of ancient
shamanic themes, set against a deep space background and a war between good and
evil. The first installment corresponds closely to a shamanic struggle, with Luke
Skywalker as the apprentice shaman, Obi-Wan Kenobi as his master, Darth Vader
as lord of the evil realm and Princess Leia Organa as the soul to be rescued.
One obstacle after another is placed in the way of the heroes by the forces of
evil, only to be removed by the heroic shaman and his helpers. The powerful
weapons used reveal a continuity with shamanism in their blend of advanced
technology and ancient magic. The ability to engage The Force for good or bad
becomes the story we're all drawn into. Read more.
excellent Michael. never looked at it that way
ReplyDeleteThe Hero's Journey is a pattern of narrative identified by the American scholar Joseph Campbell that appears in drama, storytelling, myth, religious ritual, and psychological development. It describes the typical adventure of the archetype known as The Hero, the person who goes out and achieves great deeds on behalf of the group, tribe, or civilization.
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