The Wiccan holiday calendar consists of eight main festivals that celebrate the changing seasons and the cycle of life. These festivals, also known as Sabbats, hold great significance for Wiccans and are observed with various rituals and ceremonies. The first festival in the Wiccan holiday calendar is known as Samhain, which takes place on October 31st. Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark half of the year. It is considered a time when the veil between the physical and the spiritual realms is thinnest. Next in the calendar is Yule, which is celebrated on the winter solstice, usually around December 21st.
No matter what salty symptoms you're dealing with, the solution is usually the same. Slash your sodium by cutting back on processed foods, and drink more water! "This allows your body to catch up and get back into balance," Movassaghi says. Once you're back to normal, try to keep your salt intake under control. The US dietary guidelines recommend eating less than 2,300 mg per day.
When women were mildly dehydrated, they performed worse on cognitive tests measuring concentration, memory, reasoning, and reaction time, compared with when they were adequately hydrated, found one Journal of Nutrition study. Take in too much sodium, and your brain triggers the release of hormones that tell your body to hold on to as much water as possible in an attempt to keep things from getting too out of whack.
Next in the calendar is Yule, which is celebrated on the winter solstice, usually around December 21st. Yule represents the rebirth of the sun and the return of light. It is a time for introspection and setting intentions for the coming year.
5 Signs Your Body Wants You To Cut Back On Salt
Being diagnosed with high blood pressure is one clear sign that you may be overdoing it on the salt. But that's not the only downside of a sodium-laden diet.
Turns out, even a few supersalty meals can leave you feeling weird—or even downright uncomfortable. Here are 5 surprising short-term symptoms that can happen when you go crazy with the salt shaker, and what to do about them. (Heal your whole body with Rodale's 12-day liver detox for total body health.)
Your rings feel too tight.You haven't gained any weight, so why does the band you've worn on your finger forever suddenly feel two sizes too small? Chances are, your sausage fingers are caused by water retention, which can happen when you load up on salt.
"Our bodies are complex machines that must maintain a balance of fluids and electrolytes," says Dr. Mehran Movassaghi of Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. Take in too much sodium, and your brain triggers the release of hormones that tell your body to hold on to as much water as possible in an attempt to keep things from getting too out of whack.
Your mouth is dry.Feel like you just ate a bunch of cotton balls? Yep, it might be salt's fault. After loading up on sodium-heavy food (keep away from these 15 high-sodium foods), your body starts to sense that your salt and water levels are off kilter. To get things back to normal, you need to take in more water, says Movassaghi. As a result, your brain sends out thirst signals, which prompt you to start guzzling.
Your head is pounding.You might not think those salty chips you chowed down have anything to do with your throbbing headache. But research suggests otherwise: Adults who ate 3,500 mg of sodium per day had nearly a third more headaches than those who only took in 1,500 mg, found a study published in the BMJ.
There's a strong link between high blood pressure and headaches. But heavy salt eaters in this study were more likely to get headaches even if their blood pressure was normal. Experts aren't sure why, but the takeaway is clear: If your head feels like it's ready to explode, try cutting back on the salt.
You keep running to the bathroom.Drinking too much water isn't the only thing that can make you have to pee nonstop. Surprisingly, eating too much salt can have the same effect. When you devour sodium-heavy fare, your kidneys have to work overtime to clear out the extra salt. So you end up peeing more than usual, says Movassaghi.
Your brain is in a fog.Going crazy with the salt shaker can leave you dehydrated. And when you're dehydrated, your ability to think clearly can start to plummet. When women were mildly dehydrated, they performed worse on cognitive tests measuring concentration, memory, reasoning, and reaction time, compared with when they were adequately hydrated, found one Journal of Nutrition study. The dehydration sent their moods plummeting, too.
Here's how to fix things—fast.No matter what salty symptoms you're dealing with, the solution is usually the same. Slash your sodium by cutting back on processed foods, and drink more water! "This allows your body to catch up and get back into balance," Movassaghi says. Once you're back to normal, try to keep your salt intake under control. The US dietary guidelines recommend eating less than 2,300 mg per day.
Imbolc, also known as Candlemas, falls on February 2nd and marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is a time for purification and preparing for the arrival of spring. Ostara is celebrated during the spring equinox, around March 21st. It symbolizes the awakening of nature and the balance between light and dark. It is a time of fertility and new beginnings. Beltane takes place on May 1st and is a celebration of the arrival of summer. It is a time to honor the earth's fertility and embrace passion and creativity. Many Wiccans celebrate Beltane with bonfires and dancing. The next festival is Litha, which takes place on the summer solstice, around June 21st. Litha is a celebration of the sun at its highest point. It is a time for gratitude and rejoicing in the abundance of nature. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, is celebrated on August 1st and marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time to give thanks for the first fruits of the harvest and to reflect on the cycle of life and death. Finally, Mabon takes place on the autumn equinox, around September 21st. Mabon is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest and to prepare for the coming winter. It is a time for reflection and gratitude. These festivals are an integral part of the Wiccan tradition and provide opportunities for connection with nature and the divine. Each festival represents a unique aspect of the natural cycle and offers Wiccans a chance to connect with their spirituality and embrace the changing seasons..
Reviews for "Exploring the Wiccan Wheel of the Year: A Beginner's Guide to Pagan Celebrations"
1. John - 1/5 - I was really disappointed by the Wiccsn Holiday Calendar. The story was weak and the acting was even worse. The characters were poorly developed and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. Additionally, the humor fell flat and the jokes just weren't funny. Overall, I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this holiday special.
2. Jane - 2/5 - Honestly, I expected much more from the Wiccsn Holiday Calendar. The plot was predictable and lacked any real substance. The special effects were mediocre at best and added little to the overall story. The whole thing felt rushed and poorly executed. It's a shame because I had high hopes for this holiday special, but it was a letdown.
3. Michael - 2.5/5 - While the Wiccsn Holiday Calendar had its moments, it ultimately failed to impress me. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The pacing was off and there were too many unnecessary scenes that added nothing to the overall narrative. Overall, I found the special to be underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Sarah - 3/5 - The Wiccsn Holiday Calendar wasn't terrible, but it definitely didn't live up to the hype. The acting was decent, but the writing lacked originality. The characters were cliché and the plot felt like a rehash of similar holiday specials. It had some heartwarming moments, but overall it was forgettable. If you're looking for a truly captivating holiday special, this isn't it.
5. David - 2/5 - The Wiccsn Holiday Calendar left a lot to be desired. The story felt disjointed and there were too many subplots that went nowhere. The acting was subpar and the characters were one-dimensional. Additionally, the special lacked any real holiday spirit and failed to evoke any emotions. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable holiday special.