coyote reading folklore class

Exploration of various trickster figures in mythology across different cultures.

Context of Loki's Role: Loki is introduced in a narrative where he persuades Idun, a goddess associated with apples that grant eternal youth.
The Persuasion:
- Loki tells Idun about more beautiful apples found in the forest, captivating her curiosity.
- Idun is hesitant due to knowledge of Loki's reputation but is eventually lured into the forest.
The Betrayal and Kidnapping:
- Thjazi, a giant, seizes Idun as per Loki's arrangement, leading to her abduction to his home.
- Loki's actions escape scrutiny as he returns to Asgard, leaving the Aesir vulnerable.
Consequences of Idun's Absence:
- The Aesir notice Idun’s disappearance along with the absence of her rejuvenating apples.
- Aging becomes evident amongst the gods, prompting them to seek Loki, blaming him for their pallor and weakness.
Loki’s Transformation and Rescue:
- In a desperate act, Loki transforms into a hawk and flies to Thjazi’s domain.
- He finds Idun in distress and changes her into a nut to escape back to Asgard beneath his wings.
Loki's Continued Torment:
- Loki’s trickery continues, hinting at a deeper narrative of deceit and trouble in the Aesir's relations until their eventual disappearance from earthly affairs.

Character Description: Coyote is portrayed as a trickster, embodying traits of both a creator and an amoral figure.
Creation Myth:
- Coyote witnesses the creation of the world by Earth-Initiate, who forms land, celestial bodies, and the first humans from clay.
- Attempts to create his own beings fail due to his laughter during the process, prompting a foundational myth about the nature of life and death.
Earth-Initiate's Favorable Conditions:
- Earth-Initiate ensures an easy life for people, filled with food and exemption from aging or sickness.
- Introduction of the lake that grants rejuvenation is a pivotal moment highlighting the initial state of existence.
Coyote's Intervention:
- Coyote suggests a more challenging existence where sickness and death are introduced to humanity.
- Initiates a footrace to prove his point, resulting in tragedy when his son falls victim to a rattlesnake bite, leading to the first instance of death.
Emotional Impact:
- Coyote's sorrow marks the first tears shed, establishing a connection to loss and human experience.
- Burying his son illustrates the new reality of mortality imposed upon human beings.

Character Overview: Legba, another trickster figure, operates under divine authority yet experiences the wrath of humans for actions dictated by God.
Divine Interaction:
- Early tales depict Legba as executing God’s orders, suffering unjust blame from the people.
- Legba grows resentful of being the scapegoat and seeks clarity from God.
The Theft of the Yams:
- Legba conspires to steal yams from God's garden, leading to a divine misunderstanding.
- This theft is framed as a clever trick, leaving God to bear the blame in the eyes of humanity.
A Shift to Heaven:
- God, fed up with impertinence on earth, departs for the sky, yet leaves Legba behind to oversee human activities.
Role of Fa:
- Legba's association with the oracle Fa emphasizes his role in divination and guidance to humans through rituals.
- Fa, depicted with multiple eyes, represents foresight and wisdom as he conveys future knowledge through palm nuts, manipulated by Legba.
Teaching Humanity:
- Legba’s instruction of humanity during times of war using Fa's divination methods illustrates his importance in guiding conduct and decision-making.

The characters discussed—Loki, Coyote, and Legba—embody fundamental aspects of mythological storytelling, focusing on themes of creation, morality, the duality of pleasure and pain, and the intricate relationships between deities and humanity.