Andvari
Andvari loves treasure. In the past, he didn’t need to forge it because he could find or even produce it with his magic ring, Andvaranaut (literally “Andvari’s Gift”). This golden ring can locate gold and possibly generate it. It was the prize of Andvari’s collection, and his collection was amazing, featuring various magical armors, weapons, and items of unspeakable value. You may notice that sentence was written in the past tense because Andvari’s treasure was stolen by Loki, who needed to pay a ransom demand. (See Also:Loki.)
Andvari was initially not that upset about losing his hoard assuming that he could regenerate it with his ring. However, when Loki forced him to surrender the ring, too, Andvari was devastated. He may have lost his wealth, but his magical powers weren’t stolen: he put a curse on the ring, dooming anyone who came into its possession. The story of Andvari and his ring appears in the epic Volsung Saga. It was adapted by Richard Wagner into his Ring series of operas although Wagner merged Andvari’s character with that of Alberich, using the latter’s name in his operas. Wagner may have desired royalty: Andvari, unlike Alberich, is not a king, although at the peak of his wealth he possessed more gold and treasure than many kings put together.
Andvari allegedly remains a bitter spirit, but if he evokes a chord in you, he may be appealed to for advice regarding finances and investments.
ORIGIN:
Norse
CLASSIFICATION:
Dwarf
MANIFESTATION:
He can shape-shift into the form of a salmon when he wishes, enabling him to live beneath the water as well as on land.
ATTRIBUTE:
The physical object with which he is most associated is his ring, whether or not it is now in his possession.
ELEMENTS:
Water and earth
METAL:
What else? Gold.
HOME:
Although he is at home on land, Andvari kept his trove in an underwater cave beneath a waterfall. Despite Wagner’s operatic associations with the Rhine, the real Andvari probably inhabits a Scandin avian river.
SEE ALSO:
- Alberich
- Lorelei
- Norse Mythology
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.
