Intriguing spots on the moon’s surface have inspired tales
in nearly every culture of the “man in the moon,” but other celestial bodies
have been similarly personified. In 1914, Edward Curtis documented a dance by
Native American peoples to antagonize another cosmic creature during an
eclipse.

Curtis noted, “It is thought that an eclipse is the result
of an attempt of some creature in the sky to swallow the luminary. In order to
compel the monster to disgorge it, the people dance round a smoldering fire of
old clothing and hair, the stench of which, rising to his nostrils, is expected
to cause him to sneeze and disgorge the moon.”