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Many of the worldwide myths about supernatural tricksters and transformers
(shape changers) likely encode major comets. Post-perihelion comets, with dust and
iontails moved by solar winds in front of the retreating comet’s head, are often
depicted in archaeological and religious iconography as "horned" or "feathered"
serpents or other elongat creatures (Masse 1995, 19998, 2003b)…. Similarly, the Skidi
Pawnee
apparently used longtailed comets as the inspiration for the long feathered
headdresses wornby chiefs (Weltfish 1977:225, 377;
Chamberlain
1982:142).
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