How does the Disney Era Star Wars depict the dark side?
In the Disney period, it seems that the Force itself has evolved. Although in some respects that is accurate, there is evidence that the principles remain the same. A sequence from the upcoming Disney+ show "The Acolyte" validates that the dark side is still an artificial distortion of the Force's inherent state.
What distinguishes dark side Kyber crystals from light side ones?
Lightsabers are powered by Kyber Crystals. Bonding with their Kyber Crystals, the Jedi and other light side users give the Crystal a particular color, say blue or green. But dark side users and Sith must induce a link using a technique known as "bleeding." This corrupts the Kyber crystal and colors it crimson so it may link to the dark side user.
Does the Dark Side call for Kyber Crystals to be "Bled"?
Indeed, dark side users of recent Star Wars canon comics, video games, and the TV series "The Acolyte" must "bleed" Kyber crystals to run their lightsabers. Bleeding drives the Kyber crystal to link with the dark side user, rendering the crystal red.
Are Kyber Crystals Different in the Disney Age?
The Kyber crystal system is essentially unaltered from the original films, whereas the Disney era Star Wars has brought fresh and varied approaches to use the Force. Kyber crystals still the only consistent power source for lightsabers, and they still must bond with a Force user.
Regarding the idea of "Gray Jedi,"
Though it's an interesting idea, the Star Wars universe makes little sense for a "Gray Jedi" who straddles between light and darkness. The Force has natural equilibrium. Users with dark side influence the Force corruptingly. The dark side is not a separate road nor a natural component of the Force. The Force's natural condition is corrupted unnaturally here. Trying to balance the light and dark is thus like trying to balance virtue and evil. It is not the road of truth.
Is The Dark Side A Natural Element Of The Disney Era Force?
The Kyber crystal bleeding process runs against the present Star Wars canon, which holds that both light and dark are intrinsic components of the Force. The dark side is not a natural or inherent aspect of the Force since dark side users must actively corrupt the Kyber crystal to bond with it. It is a distortion of the inherent balance.
