Omega

by Stewart Farrar

In 1980, Omega was "recent future" science fiction, and, although the setting is now, the premise still holds. Scientists have learned to tap the power of the earth's electro-magnetic field put 150 kilowatts of power into two electrodes on opposite sides of the globe and get 4015 megawatts. They think the world's energy problems are over! Well, not quite . . . The conflict is between the forces of technology and greed and the gentle men and women who have respect for the land, are in touch with nature, and practice the "craft of the wise" witchcraft. Omega is a book with a there is no time like the present to start healing the great mother. And this is the kind of book that can win people to the cause of so doing.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Paganism

343 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1980

About the author

Stewart Farrar, along with Janet, wrote many books on witchcraft and was a well known witch appearing frequently in the media. He lived in Ireland and regularly toured the U.S.A. giveing lectures and workshops.

Reviews

[Christopher Gerrib · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this novel in 1981 as a high school freshman. I found it in the high school library where I had a study hall and that's where I read it. I remembered enough of it so that when a few weeks ago I got in an online discussion about books in which Great Britain collapses I was able to describe it well enough for somebody to tell me the title. I ordered the modern paperback reprint, wondering if it was as good as I remembered. It was.

I have to admit that I had completely forgotten about what caused the disaster, which was a scheme to harness the Earth's magnetic field for electrical power. Frankly, the only relevant bit of that was the attempt to cover it up by blaming everything on a resurgence of witchcraft in Britain. The real story is that of a coven of witches who are also ordinary middle-class Britons and how they deal with both being scapegoated by the Government then the catastrophe.

Much like the more-famous Stephen King novel The Stand, this is a sweeping book with a large cast of characters. I find Farrar's characters more realistic then King's, and although the novel covers a similarly broad scope, it enjoys a brisker pace then King's. Despite the overt witchcraft of the characters, I found the ending more plausible and less moralistic. Overall, I very good read which has held up well over time.

[Eric Klamm · Rating 2 out of 5]

got about 35% done but just couldn't finish it. It seems ok, and the characters seemed likable, just wasn't my cup of tea I guess.

[Jenel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 1980. Set in Britain in the near future. Other than the absence of cellphones this sci fi leaning story stands up.
We find a way to tap into energy of the earth by drilling into the MoHo on opposite sides of the globe only to discover after providing energy for everyone that the earth doesn't like it. It's earthquakes not CO2. But the representation of how the government and the powers that be respond is believable, the characters are interesting, the story works. The government thinks there needs to be a scapegoat for the masses to focus their fear and anger on and in this story it's witches.
Written by Stuart Farrar, a real witch, the story doesn't focus so much on witches as how people react under pressure. If the world as we know it comes to an end I'd want to run into a batch of folks like the one in this book.
Land in Minnesota is looking better every day.

[John]

This book sucked!