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History of STAR WARS: What Is a Vergence in the Force?

by Amy Ratcliffe
Dec 13 2017 • 8:30 AM

History of Star Wars is our series where we take a close look at the galaxy far, far away and examine important organizations, locations, and theories that may play into what’s ahead in the sequel trilogy and standalone movies.

“I have encountered a vergence in the Force.” The idea of vergences in the Force was formalized by Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace. He believed Anakin Skywalker was a vergence, a phenomenon usually linked to a location. The youth was unusually strong in the Force, more so than any other Jedi, and the way the Force manifested itself in Anakin might tie into The Last Jedi.

What is a vergence in the Force?

Vergences haven’t been defined in the current storytelling universe. However, based on Mace Windu’s reaction to Qui-Gon’s statement about Anakin—he seemed surprised the vergence was located around a person—we can infer vergences are usually centered on locations or objects. A vergence occurs anytime the Force converges around a particular place and is exceptionally strong. Think of it like a nexus for Force activity.

Examples of vergences

Anakin’s the most obvious example. He didn’t have a father, and the popular theory is that the Force was responsible for his creation. The Force created him as the Chosen One to bring balance to a galaxy in danger of falling to darkness at the feet of Darth Sidious.

Mortis, a place Anakin, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ahsoka Tano visited in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, is another vergence. As Force ghost Qui-Gon explains to Obi-Wan, Mortis is “a conduit through which the entire Force of the universe flows.” Home to avatars for the dark and light side of the Force and the Chosen One, Mortis isn’t a place one can plot a course to, but instead a place that draws visitors in. Force abilities are magnified while within its realms.

Dagobah is another vergence in the Force, particularly the dark side cave where Yoda sends Luke in The Empire Strikes Back. It’s a domain of evil, as Yoda calls it, and a place that is sort of a test for Luke. A couple of other Jedi temples are Force-strong locations, too, including the Temple of Eedit on Devaron. There, the vergence made it easier for Force-sensitives to learn. Luke had visions about this temple and went there to train on his own before going to Yoda.

What does it mean for The Last Jedi?

As the home of the first Jedi temple, Ahch-To is likely a vergence in the Force. The Last Jedi trailers have shown Luke is taken aback by Rey‘s powers, and while we know they’re at a high level because we saw them in action in The Force Awakens, Ahch-To could be amplifying them. Being a nexus for the Force means the remote island would be an ideal but maybe more dangerous place for Rey to learn.

And there’s the notion that Rey is a vergence herself. We don’t know anything about her parents. It would probably be a stretch to have two immaculate conceptions in the Star Wars universe, but maybe her Force powers manifested to meet the rising darkness in the galaxy brought on by Supreme Leader Snoke.

Do you think Rey is a vergence in the Force? How important do you think Ahch-To will be as a source for the Force? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Images: Lucasfilm, Disney

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