"The Acolyte" features a secret Sith Cult known as the Witches of Brendok.
A terrifying fresh theory in the Star Wars universe holds that the witches of Brendok, a potent Force cult shown on the Disney+ series "The Acolyte," might be a Sith secret offshoot. This idea offers a fresh view on the emergence of the Sith and the collapse of the High Republic, so rewriting the history of the galaxy.
Under Mother Aniseya, the witches of Brendok, led by Jodie Turner-Smith, even the Jedi find disturbing their dark and erratic magic. Fans are wondering about their relationship to the Sith even though their actual beginnings are yet unknown. Though the Jedi have labelled them as witches, they quickly dismiss a relationship to the Nightsisters, suggesting a darker and more sinister truth.
The dark side and the power of two
The witches of Brendok show a great spectrum of Force powers, including telekinesis, usually connected with the Jedi and Sith. Still, their use of these authority is forceful and motivated by self-preservation. More importantly, their dark side talents show themselves in their capacity to enter the brains of even Jedi Masters like Torbin and Kelnacca.
Their philosophical perspective on the Force also fits the "potentium heresy" from Star Wars Legend, a Sith-inspired theory rejecting the existence of the light and dark sides of the Force. < This conviction exposes them to the dark side, a strategy the Sith have long used to enter the Jedi Order.
Beyond their opinions on the Force, the witches' conviction in the "Power of Two" remarkably matches the Sith "Rule of Two." In "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," the Rule of Two emerged as a corruption of the Doctrine of the Dyad—two people linked by the Force. Perhaps a similar corruption of the Dyad is the Power of Two. These parallels point to Mother Aniseya and the Sith perhaps having a relationship.
A Sith Legacy Past Darth Bane?
The theory begs an interesting issue: are the Brendok witches linked to something far older or to the line of descent of Darth Bane? Though Legends tells us otherwise, Darth Bane thought he had eliminated competing Sith factions. This group might have existed for millennia, gently shaped by Sith mythology.
Mother Aniseya might have been a Sith Acolyte who followed another route but stayed impacted by their ideas. This would produce a poetic turn-about appropriate for the Star Wars universe.
Mother Koril and Stranger: Stranger
Furthermore linked to the enigmatic Sith Lord known as the Stranger could be the Brendok witches. In "The Acolyte" episode 7, we discover Mother Koril—a major participant in the Brendok massacre—has survived and spent years with Mae. This points to some possible relationship between Mother Koril and the Stranger.
Though Mother Koril seems improbable as the Stranger's master, their interests coincide. She wants retribution on the Jedi, and Mae—trained by the Sith—could be the ideal instrument for that. Mother Koril might have brought Mae to the Stranger so she might keep on her training.
Sith Factions: A Conflict
Should the witches be Sith, it is most likely they are not the Baneite Sith. Though not exactly same, their ideas and teachings seem related. The Baneite Sith would never let such a broad dissemination of their ideas. This implies a possible strife among several Sith factions.
For "The Acolyte's" finale, this theory offers a fascinating prospect: a confrontation between two distinct dark side factions rather than between light and dark. Emerging from the shadows to eradicate these "pretendants," the true Sith could find the secret of Mae and Osha's birth—a lineage reflecting the powers sought after by Darth Plagueis. This could put "The Acolyte" on a road with lots of interesting opportunities.
