This essay is from paraquem
Published on October 7, 2001

George Lucas & Carlos Castaneda in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

• Introduction
• A definite influence
• Basic commonalities, clear differences
• Yoda, the shaman
• Mystical initiation
• "Do or do not ... there is no try"
• "Remember your failure at the tree"
• Gaining an ally, and the Trials
• "Luminous beings are we ... not this crude matter"
• Fortuitous meetings in the Star Wars saga
• Disappearing Jedi (and the relevance of lineage)
• Jar Jar Binks, vegetation spirits and re:birth
• Summary

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Basic commonalities, clear differences

The first commonality to mention is specific to the individual - namely that of the Sorcerer/Jedi. I should point out that sorcerer, for the purposes of this piece, is an almost entirely interchangeable term with Jedi knight - with one important distinction - there is no order of sorcerers, as such, in Castaneda’s books. They are not a formal organisation working for anyone or toward any purpose, except that of their own personal quest for knowledge. The Jedi of the original trilogy are a marginally better analogy to the sorcerers of Castaneda’s world, in that they are on the fringes. It’s also necessary to make note of the lesser moral polarity as found in Castaneda. The good side/bad side division is nowhere near as pronounced. We do find great dangers to the aspirant sorcerer, but they do not rest on a fall to a dark side per se (though evil sorcerers are mentioned). With those exceptions clarified, I’ll try to show where the influence of Castaneda on Star Wars seems strongest.

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