Witches at the Gates: Opening the Otherworld
On the Summer Solstice, when the sun pauses in its climb and the veil between worlds shimmers with golden fire, the witches rise. Not merely to celebrate but to serve their ancient role as bridges between the worlds.
Witches are not only spellcasters and wise women. We are threshold keepers. And the Sabbats, especially the Solstices and Cross-Quarters, are the sacred hinge points, moments when the gates to the Otherworld swing open and call us to act.
Since ancient times, witches, cunning folk, and seers were entrusted with guarding the doorways between realities. The mundane world and the magical realm, the seen and unseen, the human and the divine.
We are not just meant to walk between worlds for our own power or insight. We are called to channel that energy and to anchor it into the earth, the body, and the community. Every Sabbat is a cosmic tide. But these tides can either pass unnoticed by the slumbering world or be channeled and shaped by the awakened.
The Summer Solstice is the zenith of solar power, the longest day, when the light is so strong that it spills into the cracks of reality.
At this peak, the veil between worlds thins but not because of death (as in Samhain). Rather because of overwhelming life-force. The land pulses with vitality, dreams bloom rapidly, and the sun’s fire burns through illusion.
Witches who stand in alignment during this time open portals to the Fae Realm, or Elphame. Commune with Solar Spirits, Plant Devas, and Elemental Kings. Channel codes of healing, abundance, and transformation. As well as, anchor visionary new timelines for self and planet.
To “open the gates” is not a metaphor. It is a ritual act of alignment and invocation, where your body and spirit become a living temple. You turn yourself into a conduit of Otherworldly energy. Drawing it in, translating it, and releasing it into the physical world.
We live in a world numbed by illusion, disconnected from the Earth, from Spirit, from magic. But at the Sabbats the world tilts just enough that something ancient and true can slip in.
If no one opens the gate nothing comes through. The energies recede. The wisdom remains lost in the ethers. Only the seasonal energy remains.
But if you do, you pull the Otherworld into the mundane world where it can heal, inspire, transform, and renew.
The Sabbats are real portals. Every Sabbat is a point on the Great Wheel where the door creaks open:
- Imbolc: We bring the spark of firelight from the dream realm.
- Ostara: We call back vitality from the Otherworld of rebirth.
- Beltane: We dance with the fae and awaken desire in the soil.
- Summer Solstice: We channel the sun’s radiance into creation.
- Lughnasadh: We receive the first fruits of divine promise.
- Mabon: We store the harvest wisdom for the dark.
- Samhain: We walk with the dead and light the soul’s lantern.
- Yule: We midwife the rebirth of the sun and sacred spark.
Every culture had this understanding for their seasonal rituals, even though not all cultures recognized the modern 8 sabbats. It's almost as though the responsibility and particular wisdom was spread across different cultures and different people. You can choose to open the gates during the modern 8 Sabbats or you can choose to follow your particular cultural traditions.
You go from just celebrating the seasons to being the ones who are weaving worlds. This Solstice, and at every Sabbat after, remember this: You are the gate. You are the bridge. You are the keeper of the flame. Open The Gates to the Otherworld and let its magic flow through your hands and into the material world. Be the vessel by which the sacred enters this Earth once more. The world needs witches. The gates are waiting.
Opening the Otherworld Gates and Channeling Energy
To attune yourself to the turning of the Wheel, open the gate to the Otherworld, and become a conduit of magical, healing, and visionary energy into the physical world.
You Will Need:
This ritual can be done with many embellishments and tools or without anything but visualization and Will. I tend to keep things rather simple for my own practice as to not get too caught up in the details and focus on the task at hand. But do what works best for you.
- The Elemental Pentagrams - To open the gates in each direction. Pictured below
Optional Tools:
- A candle (gold, white, or sun-yellow is ideal) and 4 white candles for the 4 gates
- A bowl of spring water or moon water
- A stone or crystal that grounds (hematite, black tourmaline, obsidian)
- flowers, sun-charged herbs (rosemary, calendula, mugwort), incense
- A journal for insights
Preparation (Before Ritual)
Perform this outside if possible, or near a window or altar facing the rising or setting sun.
Cleanse yourself and your space with smoke, saltwater, or sound.
Call on your spirit allies and guardians to hold sacred space.
Ritual Steps
Begin with Breath
Stand barefoot on the earth (or floor) and close your eyes.
Inhale slowly as if you're drawing in light from the Universe.
Exhale, imagining that light anchoring down through your spine into the Earth.
Do this until your body feels still and receptive.
Face East - The Eastern Gate.
(Light this candle if you are using one) Imagine a large doorway or gate. Let the gate appear to you however it looks (wooden, stone, iron, glass, portal/stargate)
Draw the Invoking Air Element Pentagram in front of you. (with your dominant hand outstretched, starting at the left shoulder height, begin to draw a large star moving clockwise as pictured here:
Say: “Hail to the guardians of the gates of the East. The element of Air. The spirits of the Sylphs (or Fairies) and the Celestials. I open this portal on this Solstice day. Let your power flow through this gateway. I invoke you.”
Imagine and feel, as much as you can, what it looks like on the other side of that gateway - Dawn, spring & flowers, misty air (hot/wet are of the east).
*If you have a hard time seeing in your mind just verbalize it to yourself (I see dawn light, its spring and I smell the flowers. The air is misty, ect)
Now turn to the right and Face South - The Southern Gate.
(Light this candle if you are using one) Imagine a large doorway or gate. Let the gate appear to you however it looks (wooden, stone, iron, glass, portal/stargate)
Draw the Invoking Fire Element Pentagram in front of you. (with your dominant hand outstretched, starting at the right hip height, begin to draw a large star moving clockwise as pictured here:
Say: “Hail to the guardians of the gates of the South. The element of Fire. The spirits of the Salamanders and the Mighty Dead. I open this portal on this Solstice day. Let your power flow through this gateway. I invoke you.”
Imagine and feel, as much as you can, what it looks like on the other side of that gateway - High noon, summer & desert, hot air (hot/dry are of the south). *If you have a hard time seeing in your mind just verbalize it to yourself (I see a blazing noon sun, its summer and the air is dry and hot, ect)
Now turn to the right and Face West - The Western Gate.
(Light this candle if you are using one) Imagine a large doorway or gate. Let the gate appear to you however it looks (wooden, stone, iron, glass, portal/stargate)
Draw the Invoking water Element Pentagram in front of you. (with your dominant hand outstretched, starting at the right shoulder height, begin to draw a large star moving clockwise as pictured here:
Say: “Hail to the guardians of the gates of the West. The element of Water. The spirits of the Undines (or Mermaids) and the Underworld. I open this portal on this Solstice day. Let your power flow through this gateway. I invoke you.”
Imagine and feel, as much as you can, what it looks like on the other side of that gateway - Dusk, autumn & the ocean or storm, Rainy (cold/wet are of the west). *If you have a hard time seeing in your mind just verbalize it to yourself (I see the sun setting, autumn leaves on the trees. Storm rumbling above and I smell rain in the air, ect)
Now turn to the right and Face North - The Northern Gate.
(Light this candle if you are using one) Imagine a large doorway or gate. Let the gate appear to you however it looks (wooden, stone, iron, glass, portal/stargate)
Draw the Invoking Earth Element Pentagram in front of you. (with your dominant hand outstretched, starting at the left hip height, begin to draw a large star moving clockwise as pictured here:
Say: “Hail to the guardians of the gates of the North. The element of Earth. The spirits of the Pygmies (or Gnomes) and of the Ancestors. I open this portal on this Solstice day. Let your power flow through this gateway. I invoke you.”
Imagine and feel as much as you can what it looks like on the other side of that gateway - Dark midnight, winter & forest, cold air (cold/dry are of the north). *If you have a hard time seeing in your mind just verbalize it to yourself (I see a full moon at midnight, its winter and the air is cold and crisp, ect)
The Living Gate
Stand in the center (Light your central candle if using). Speak with power:
“I am the bridge. I am the vessel.
I am the open gate between the worlds.
Through me flows the river of the Otherworld.
Through me speaks the voice of soul and spirit.
Through me enters the divine pattern ,into the fabric of the world.
As above, so below.
As within, so without.
The gates are open and through me, the energy flows.”
Imagine a central pillar of light coming from the Universe, through your body, and into the center of the earth.
Sit and meditate in this in-between place (be very mindful of the candles around you if you are using them. Make sure nothing is too close to be a fire hazard). Feel and visualize the world you want to manifest collectively. Receive whatever messages and wisdom the Otherworld has for you. Spend 10 - 30 minutes in this space.
Seal and Anchor:
Raise your hands, then lower them to the Earth. Imagine golden Otherworld energy pouring from your palms into the land beneath you.
Say:“It is done. The current flows. The world is changed.” (extinguish the central candle)
Start at the North this time and close the Gates. Draw a banishing Earth Pentagram and say: "The Northern Gate is closed. The Magic remains.
Hail & Farewell” (extinguish the candle if using)
Turn to the left at the West this time and close the Gates. Draw a banishing Water Pentagram and say: “The Western Gate is closed. The Magic remains.
Hail & Farewell” (extinguish the candle if using)
Turn to the left at the South this time and close the Gates. Draw a banishing Fire Pentagram and say: “The Southern Gate is closed. The Magic remains.
Hail & Farewell” (extinguish the candle if using)
Turn to the left at the East this time and close the Gates. Draw a banishing Air Pentagram and say: “The Eastern Gate is closed. The Magic remains.
Hail & Farewell” (extinguish the candle if using)
Ground and Integrate
Hold your grounding stone. Sit and write down:
Any images, messages, or feelings you received
Any visions for your future, or the world, that came through
Any actions you feel called to take next
Drink water. Eat grounding food. Hum or stretch.
Optional Magical Additions
Do this at dawn or sunset on the Solstice for extra potency.
Anoint your crown and heart with solar oil (e.g., infused with St. John’s Wort or chamomile).
Offer what you channeled into a creative act afterward. Art, writing, spellwork, or a blessing for others.
Opening the gate is not just about stepping into mystery. It’s about bringing the mystery here. With every ritual, you restore the lost bridge. With every breath, you channel new light. With every Sabbat, you become the Witch at the Threshold once more.