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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Before trying to retrieve a power animal, the shaman needs what?

2. What element is often reported in many successful guardian spirit journeys?

3. Harner repeatedly emphasizes that not all shamanic experiences involve drugs and instead rely on what?

4. How does the 1562 book, "Natural Magick," make reference to shamans?

5. In Harner's power restoration exercise for apprentice shamans, he instructs the participant to use the drumbeat as what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are power objects, and what are they for?

2. How does a shaman obtain a power song needed to retrieve a power animal?

3. In the power restoration exercise Harner presents for the reader, what is the participant told to avoid?

4. What does Harner say about shamanism and synchronicity?

5. How do the Jivaro know if a person has or doesn't have a guardian animal spirit?

6. Why should a shaman avoid trying to heal when he or she is feeling dis-spirited?

7. Describe what Harner writes about the mythical past link between humans and animals.

8. Explain what the author is saying when he speaks of Coyote and Raven as groups or species.

9. How do power animals first show themselves to a shaman?

10. What does Harner recommend for novice shamans trying to communicate with guardian spirit animals?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author thoroughly explains numerous details of shamanism, but two areas he doesn't cover in as much detail are how and why shamanism works. Offer your own explanations to fill in the blanks. How do you think shamanism works? Why does it work?

Essay Topic 2

An important job the shaman does is restore power to a sick individual by retrieving his or her power animal.

1. Define power in the context of shamanism. What is its importance or value?

2. How does the presence or absence of power affect the health and welfare of a person?

3. How does a power animal help an individual? What happens when the person "loses" his or her power animal?

4. How does a shaman's act of retrieving a power animal help a patient?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of guardian spirits, spirit helpers, and power animals. Do you feel there is a significant difference between these entities? How do they differ? In what ways are they similar? Cite three separate instances showing when a shaman would call upon one particular entity over the other two.

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