Star Wars: Kyber Crystal Purification, Explained

Although non-canon, Star Wars: Visions has done well to expound upon and visualize Star Wars Expanded Universe lore in the animated anthology series. From droid Force-users to spy dancers and more, the animated series has contributed several canon-worthy ideas that Star Wars could build on. Volume 2, episode 9 is one of the most intriguing, as it introduces a new layer to a Force technique that has not been seen in Star Wars.


Created by the South African animation studio Triggerfish, “Aau’s Song” is Star Wars: Visions‘ final episode of volume 2. It follows the story of Aau, who must remain quiet because of the effect her voice has on the kyber crystals. In the end, it’s revealed that Aau’s voice had purified the corrupted kyber crystals through her singing. This prompts Kratu, a Jedi, to ask Aau to come with her, presumably to train as a Jedi. But the process of purification had yet to be visualized onscreen until this Star Wars: Visions episode, which only leads to more questions.

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What Is Purification In Star Wars?

Star Wars - Aau

In Star Wars lore, kyber crystals are the crystals used to power lightsabers. Kyber crystals are naturally aligned with the Light Side of the Force. Red kyber crystals, aligned with the Dark Side, are usually natural kyber crystals that have been corrupted by the Sith through a process known as bleeding. Sith lords can bleed their negative emotions into kyber crystals, which turns them red and thus, allows the Sith to wield a lightsaber. In the expanded lore, this bleeding technique is a necessary step for the Sith, because Light-sided sabers cannot be used by those aligned with the Dark Side.

To reverse this process, the Jedi have their own technique, purification, to undo the bleeding of the corrupt kyber crystals. Star Wars‘ Ahsoka Tano is known to have done this in the novel Ahsoka, where purification was first described. Ahsoka obtained a red kyber crystal after defeating an Inquisitor, and transformed it into the purified white crystals that power her lightsabers. Purification is a healing Force technique that requires the user to first attune the suffering of the Force-sensitive who corrupted the crystal. Then, the healer must empathize with the one who bled the crystal. Finally, they must infuse their own positive emotions to neutralize the effects of the negative emotions bled into it.

The corrupted crystals in “Aau’s Song” are powerful enough to fight against attempts of purification, which is why the crystals react in damaging ways in response to Aau’s voice. Another interesting note from a couple of other Star Wars: Visions episodes is that the animators have shown kyber crystals to be naturally clear/white before and after corruption. A color, such as blue, appears from the clear crystal when a Force-sensitive person comes in contact with it. This could be a phenomenon unique to the particular crystals of those planets, or it could be a potential Expanded Universe retcon for a few Star Wars lightsaber theories.

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Is Aau’s Song a Force Power?

The episode “Aau’s Song” alludes to Aau’s voice itself being a Force-power. While her song is capable of purifying corrupted kyber crystals on a large scale, it may also be possible for Aau to leverage her voice to perform other Force techniques. Purification, as a healing Force-technique performed through song, opens the door in Star Wars for more sound-based healing techniques.

Healing techniques through the Force have been spoken of onscreen more than they have been shown. This may be due to the visually limited, if not uninteresting, way of illustrating Force healing techniques. The healing technique performed by Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, or when Rey healed Kylo Ren after impaling him, were visually static scenes. Purification, which is described as a meditative technique, has this same issue. These demonstrations do not support the argument for seeing more of these healing techniques. However, “Aau’s Song” has changed that by adding tension between her singing, and the Dark Side kyber crystals’ resistance to being purified. This is an exciting new development. Star Wars could similarly dramatize Force healing or purification through singing in more visually engaging ways.

Music and sound can be powerful forces of energy, emotionally and kinetcally, respectively. “Aau’s Song” could be the inspiration for a potential Star Wars live-action musical that further explores and illustrates singing Force techniques or purification songs for healing. Star Wars: Visions has done well to visualize and detail other aspects of the Force, as well as debut purification onscreen in an inspiring way. Aau was able to find her voice as a future Jedi through her song. And thanks to LucasFilm, many animation studios have been empowered to showcase their voice and culture through the Star Wars franchise. Hopefully, this inclusive approach to Star Wars filmmaking continues to bring more diverse experiences to fans.

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