Andvari's Forging
by Fuensanta Arismendi
Your behavior is my altar.
—Andvari
Andvari is not a God of altars and rituals, much less a magician’s God. In fact, this is as good a place as any to say that this will not give you any rituals or spells to acquire more money. Just because Andvari guards all ownership, including that of riches, does not mean honoring Andvari will bring you financial prosperity. If this was your hope, give it up and just give this devotional away.
Yes, a part of my altar is dedicated to Andvari. It is, however, very basic: a lovely statue of Him carved in stone by Bella Kaldera, a little bowl holding one Swiss penny and one gold piece, both equally honored, and some stone runes He gave me. Sometimes I burn a candle for Him, and offer Him a little wine. That is all. And prayers, of course, are always welcome.
Galina’s altar to Andvari is actually very, very simple. He does not ask for more. The one public shrine erected for Him at Cauldron Farm contains only a small flat piece of granite with the runes Fehu and Laguz carved into it atop which sits a small replica iron anvil. That is not only all but moreover it’s all that He seems to want from her. In fact, we believe His acquiescence to these physical altars at all to Him is more for our benefit than His desire. He needs no altar. By His own words, it is the behavior of those who honor Him that is His altar. Still, being human, many find having a physical shrine to be a very useful tool in deepening my acceptance and understanding of His lessons, so Galina’s altar reflects that simplicity. It is a bowl the color of earth, hand made, a box of Suze Orman’s money cards, and a small picture of the Rhine. Galina puts her monthly financial statements for her retirement fund and savings account on the altar along with the occasional shot glass of Kirsch (Swiss cherry liquor) to both thank and honor Andvari.
What Andvari really likes is right behavior. It is to see us struggle to redefine ownership into something so viscerally ethical that it can never again be ignored even when we disobey its rules that pleases Him the most. Of all the Gods I have met, Andvari is the most shatteringly practical one. An elaborate ritual will elicit a shrug or a snort. A heartfelt prayer will bring … well, the closest I can describe it, though it sounds silly, is a softening of His eyes and another turn on His anvil to be reforged, since we proved ourselves worthy of it. That’s all, and it is enough. It is what I crave the most from a God that saved my dignity as a child, destroyed my false smug pride as an adult, and holds me in His hands.
I could not belong to Loki and Sigyn if Andvari had not forged me. I still have much to learn and a long, long way to go. May He accompany me always, this gruff, kind, unyielding God. I lay my love and my thanks in His hands.
Artwork by Rotox.