 In San Francisco, the police is investigating the murder of many women, and one detective has the theory that they were witches and the killer is a warlock. Meanwhile, Prue Halliwell is informed by her sister Piper that their other complicated sister Phoebe lost her job in New York and is coming back to live with them in their grandmother s house. Along the night, Phoebe finds a book of witchcraft in the attic called Book of Shadows, and she reads an incantation, giving powers to the three Halliwell sisters. Later, she explains her sisters that in accordance with the book, there are three essentials of magic: timing, feeling and phases of the moon. One of their ancestors called Melinda Warren had three powers: she could move objects with her mind, see the future and stop time. She was burned at stake, but her power was transmitted through generations, becoming stronger and stronger. While the three sisters find their new abilities, the evil warlock chases them to kill them and steals their powers.