Coyote Steals the Sun and Moon

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Coyote Steals the Sun and Moon (Zuni)
from American Indian Myths and Legends
Selected and Edited by Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz
Published by Pantheon Books, NY

“Day and night… are metaphorically associated with summer and winter; hence the release of the moon brings death and desolation to the world.  Coyote of course completely disrupts the seasonal cycle by interfering with the heavenly progression.  The Kachinas mentioned were at the time of this story demi-gods, supernatural intermediaries, mostly benign, who regularly visited the pueblos and established elaborate rituals that included festive dances for the people.”