The artwork conjures an enchanting scene, drawing the viewer into a mystical realm where the line between reality and fantasy blurs. In the foreground, a sorceress stands poised as she stirs an otherworldly potion simmering in a cauldron. With her hair cascading in wild waves, she embodies a sense of power and mystery—a captivating figure in her flowing, ethereal garment. The rich texture of her attire reflects the intricate details that Waterhouse so skillfully rendered, plunging us into a dreamlike ambiance. Around her, black ravens perch inquisitively, silent witnesses to the unfolding magic; their dark presence enhances the enigmatic quality of this moment.

The backdrop reveals a desolate landscape, hinting at an abandoned civilization with rocky cliffs and distant ruins lurking in the shadows. This contrast illuminates the sorceress’s vibrant core, pulling us into her own arcane world. The artist masterfully employs a color palette of earthy tones contrasted with luminous highlights, capturing the flickering flames and swirling smoke that dance upward, creating a mesmerizing spiral that almost transcends time. There’s a palpable tension in the air, as if nature itself holds its breath, captivated by the witch's incantation. Waterhouse’s work resonates emotionally, evoking both wonder and trepidation—the dual forces of creation and destruction are evoked here. The piece stands as a symbol of the late 19th-century fascination with myth and the occult, reflecting the era's preoccupation with the supernatural and women's roles within those narratives—an artistic legacy that continues to intrigue.