This work investigates the origins, practices, and philosophical foundations of modern Wicca as established by Gerald B. Gardner. Gardner, a central figure in the mid-20th-century Pagan revival, presents his findings on the survival of ancient witchcraft traditions in Britain. He argues that these practices represent a coherent, pre-Christian religious system that persisted through centuries of suppression, providing a framework for the modern practitioner to reconnect with nature and ritual magic.

Experts and historians often view this text as a foundational document for the Wiccan movement, though they frequently note that its historical claims lack rigorous academic evidence. Readers generally approach the book as a primary source for understanding the development of modern Paganism rather than as a strictly objective historical account.