Time is Another Dimension

If you’ve ever experienced déjà-vu, you might’ve questioned whether our consciousness is really tethered to one space and time.  The Matrix explains premonitions as glitches in our computer code (love it!).  Some cultures believe it’s a spiritual by-product of reincarnation.

Others think déjà-vu is the memory of an experience we had in a future dimension. I know people who can even recall what’ll happen next (to a small degree). Native Americans called this spiritwalking, where our consciousness leaves our body and returns with the knowledge of its travels.  Not necessarily to another time, just to another place.

If this is true, then where do our spirits go?

More Than One Universe?

Despite the fact that I took Physics 101 three times (in my defense, it was only offered at 8 am, and it was my first semester of college), I’ve become intrigued by the multiverse theory favored by theoretical physicists.  There are actually nine recognized types of multiverse, three perfect sets of three (you might notice, I have a thing for the number 3).

This being so, our consciousness could – theoretically – travel to a parallel universe. One that’s very similar to ours, yet further along the timeline. Whatever we experienced there would be a memory once we returned to our own spacetime. The possibilities this opens up for sci-fi writers are endless!

My kids just read SAL AND GABI BREAK THE UNIVERSE, a middle grade novel by Carlos Hernandez, where Sal visits one of infinite parallel worlds to heal Gabi’s baby brother.  In Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse, webslingers from many dimensions – including a woman, finally! – meet on Earth due to a disruption in the spacetime continuum.  And in DARK MATTER by Blake Crouch, the protagonist must confront multiple versions of himself from parallel worlds to get back to his wife and son.

The Crossroads in Space

What I imagined for The Wrath of Nike is an interpretation of several scientifically-accepted ideas, without more than a passing glance at the laws of string theory. Not only do I not understand it enough to avoid getting lynched by the scientific community, it’s just the setting for my plot. My main character, Grace, is targeted by a dark spirit who drags her to parallel worlds to re-experience the moment of her death.

Hence the connection to déjà-vu. You’re welcome!

If I were less concerned about spoilers, I’d go into more detail about the relationship between DNA molecules, membrane theory, and maps…

Until then, I guess you’ll just have to read my next book.