The Threat of Lacking Resources

While the scenes are fictional, the location isn't - they live in a desert ecosystem much like New Mexico at the southwestern part of the United States and are thus heavily affected by drought. Many of their stories and ceremonies derived from them revolve around pleasing the spirits controlling the rain and water to ensure they can maintain their crops.

However, due to Tayo cursing the rain in the novel when he was fighting in the war, the spirits show their displeasure by refusing to let it rain until he learns to respect the pattern of nature that his forefathers have always respected and cherished instead of cursing it. Only then can rain be allowed to return to the land.

This topic, while more symbolic in nature with respect to Ceremony, does relate heavily to other topics I've talked about such as the Milagro Beanfield Wars.