Exploring the unseen world | Theme: Metaphysics

Gaiadon Universe | Metaphysics |

Coming up to the release of my traditionally published work I've taken some time out to think about the themes in the Gaiadon Universe so that I can blog about them and share tips or insights with other writers.

So, the first theme, I think I'm probably starting at the top here and working down, is Metaphysics.

A literary theme is what the story is about—but not in the way you might initially think. A theme isn't the work's literal details like its characters or where the story is set. It's the universal message the story communicates and in the case of my writing incorporating metaphysics as a theme is an important world building tool.

As a SFF author I have a keen interest in metaphysics and how the exploration of an unseen world can be used to create cosmology and world building in the Gaiadon Universe, especially the philosophy around the nature of four specific concepts which form important, or if you like, the meta-themes in my writing. Specifically, these are, Essence, Reality, Truth, and Spirit. In this sense then, the theme that deals with the initial conditions for the Gaiadon Universe is founded in a metaphysical exploration of time, space, being, and knowing.

Definition: Simply put metaphysics is, ‘derived from the Greek meta ta physika ("after the things of nature"); referring to an idea, doctrine, or posited reality outside of human sense perception. In modern philosophical terminology, metaphysics refers to the studies of what cannot be reached through objective studies of material reality.’ (www.pbs.org)

Essence, is the basic nature of a thing which determines its character or characteristics. One example in my writing is when I explore this further by writing about the nature or essence of Time, but bound by, and according to, the Law and Lore of the Gaiadon Universe, where we discover that Time, and reality, is created by an organic process, and that Time itself has attributes that we would consider organic too, such as a Mind, lungs, and a heart.

Reality is explored through the different types of existence on Gaiadon and how the nature of reality can be manipulated by those who have the means to do so. In some parts of Gaiadon the nature of reality is controlled by an artificial device, Lilith. The indigenous people of Gaiadon know that the device is an artificial construct but the colonizing population, because they are enslaved, believe that the device, a black moon, is real. They are unaware that falsehoods, in terms of history and reality, are transmitted from the device, and that their own sovereignty has been stolen from them (more on soveriegnty and colonialism themes in later blogs).

Spirit, or the nonphysical part of a thing, the unseen vital principle which animates it, is one of the most explored metaphysical aspects within my writing. From the shared supernatural light, Eleri Imole, that all the inhabitants of Gaiadon possess in varying degrees, to the way in which they harness the power of that spirit light for their own use, to finally the soul and spirit entities that are unique to each being and which are only visible at death.

But in terms of expressing the light of spirt or quintessence as a form of power, wielders of magic are subject to limitations. For example, the Witch Queens, are bounded by the law and lore of Gaiadon which tempers their psyche's. Marama Rawa cannot necromance because quintessentially she is the Crystal Witch; the realm of the undead belongs to Mordeana Never Dead, further, the realm of life-death-life belongs to the Bone Witch, Pai.

Finally, when we incorporate the exploration of the unseen world into our writing we establish the lore and laws of our universe or world with the result that we have the first set of rules or principles for the cosmology of our universe and worldbuilding thereafter.

Thank you, for taking the time to read my blog. More themes to come, and their use in world building, and milieu.