![the thrill of the chase: a rocky riverbed the thrill of the chase: a rocky riverbed](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vbrmpuo2q0o/maxresdefault.jpg)
Helpless now and furious, Andvari cursed the ring so that whoever possessed it would come to a bad end. Even the strongest person grows sick and dies, riches only tempt thieves, and power tempts challengers. Andvari learned that nothing of this world lasts forever. Descending into the underworld, the trickster god used his wits to seize the dwarf’s gold and his ring. Loki knew the one place he could go to get that much gold. After a discussion, Otr’s family agreed to let the gods live if Loki would bring back enough gold to fill and cover the dead god’s skin. Calling to his other sons, he had the three murderers imprisoned.
#The thrill of the chase: a rocky riverbed skin#
Hreidmar’s response was not what they expected, though, for in the pelt he recognized the skin of his beloved son, Otr, who took the shape of his namesake animal during the day. After a short welcome, the three proudly displayed their catch. Skinning the beast and stuffing the pelt in a pack, the three gods continued on until they came to the home of another god, Hreidmar who welcomed them inside. Feeling mischievous, Loki threw a rock at the creature and killed him. As they looked at the water, they saw what appeared to be an otter.
![the thrill of the chase: a rocky riverbed the thrill of the chase: a rocky riverbed](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKPgxSNWu7I/TzMb1NENAbI/AAAAAAAAE7U/b51nokco08g/s1600/DSC_00140.jpg)
There we meet Odin, the chief god whose own lust for power caused him to give up one of his eyes Hoenir, who helped create human beings and Loki, the trickster god. To continue with our story, though, we need to leave Andvari underground with the rest of the dwarves and travel to the upper Earth where three gods are walking along a different river.
![the thrill of the chase: a rocky riverbed the thrill of the chase: a rocky riverbed](https://cdn-tehran.wisgoon.com/dlir-s3/10531474592706422889.jpeg)
His gold and his power had to be forcibly taken from him. Some of us wake up before our world crumbles around us. Eventually, we will falter, grow sick, lose family, lose freedom, lose hope. That’s because slavery to our desires cannot last forever.
![the thrill of the chase: a rocky riverbed the thrill of the chase: a rocky riverbed](http://www.redzaustralia.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/22-Rocky-River-Bed.jpg)
How many of us have lost ourselves to some drug, or food, or hobby, or image, or cause, or collection, or career, or status? Passion and fervor are wonderful attributes, yet they so easily become unmanageable. So he forged this ring, and the ring became his life. Thus Andvari hoped to become so rich, he would gain control over all the other dwarves. Thus it was, for as both the maidens and Andvari knew, anyone who renounced love would be able to shape the shimmering nuggets into a powerful ring that could then produce an endless supply of gold. In this way, I will gain all the power of the gold.” Confusing lust with love, he shouts, “I want nothing of your love. Crying out in horror, the nymphs promise they will give the dwarf the pleasure he seeks if only he will leave the shining metal where it lies. Remembering the gold, he leaps into the water and gathers the nuggets to him. He still thinks he can find happiness in pleasure, in riches, in power. Yet Andvari does not learn from his experience. Left with emptiness, cruelty, and ugliness, we grow bitter and vengeful. Like him, we may think the drug or game or distraction will soothe and satisfy our cravings, but it only intensifies them. In these nymphs, as in any addiction, we find no true happiness. Yet what he craves offers only illusion and empty promise. Like we so often do, Andvari seeks satisfaction outside of himself. If he cannot have love, he will have wealth. Frustrated in his attempts to satisfy his sexual desires, he spurns that which he once wanted, becoming bitter and vengeful. Just out of reach, they tempt him with their bodies, then reject and humiliate him with their actions and their words.Īndvari reels with the sting of their disdain. Over and over, though the dwarf tries to clasp them in his arms, they slither away like water slipping through cupped hands. He calls to them desperately, rushing toward them with open arms. Seeing them, Andvari longs for them with a deep and relentless longing. Like the Sirens of Greek mythology, these young nymphs lure men with their unattainable beauty. But the gold is guarded by the daughters of the river god, Father Rhein. As retold by Liz Greene and Juliet Sharman-Burke, Andvari is walking along the river one day when he sees the reflection of gold among the rocky riverbed and falls in love with the glittering metal. The Norse myth about the dwarf Andvari tells of craving, lust, foolishness, and death. Januin Recovery Skills tagged Addiction / choose life / Healing / Love / Mindfulness / Recovery by Barbara Stevens