SYBIL

People hear what they want to hear. Besides, the oracle always was ambiguous in what she said. And still, the faithful journeyed to Delphi in hopes of knowing their future. At the Temple of Apollo, they would wait. Sometimes, the pilgrims would be detained for days while the priestess would ascertain the question that they would ask. She therefore would have the necessary answer.

The priestess with the power to communicate with the gods would sit on a tripod over a crack in the floor. From there, fumes would rise from the opening and she would receive the message.

During the Golden Age of Greece, many would journey to this sacred city in search of truth. As an academic in modern times, I was no different. So I went to Delphi as well, to talk to Sibyl, as the oracle was often called.

(Note: The oracle’s name is spelled differently from our Sybil.)

I’m not a believer in fortunetellers or psychic readers, but when I saw the sign, “Sibyl, Psychic Readings from Delphi,” my attention was drawn.

I went to the entrance and found the door unlocked. I went inside. There were the usual things that I had imagined. A small round table with a cloth over it. Two chairs, one on each side. Drapes hung on the back wall. Occult posters on the other walls.

“Is anyone here?” I called out. “Are you open for business?” There was no answer. I waited and asked again. I then turned towards the door to leave. As I reached the handle, a female voice said, “I’ll be right there. Please have a seat, Benjamin.”

I first thought that I should run.

But, my curiosity was stronger than my fear. I walked back to the chair and sat down.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting,” the woman said as she entered the room. She was younger that I expected.

“You called me, Benjamin,” I said.

“Why would I do that?” she replied. “I don’t know who you are.”

“You didn’t tell me to have a seat by name?”

She didn’t answer, but said, “What knowledge are you seeking?”

“I was fascinated by your sign. Are you the oracle of Delphi?”

“I’ll let you decide that. What do you want to know?” she replied.

“Well, I have had some unusual experiences that I cannot explain.”

“I know.”

I didn’t ask her to explain that, but went on, “There seems to be someone who keeps appearing in my life. And, I cannot tell if she is real or only in my imagination.”

“Maybe she is both.”

“Well, that would make it even more confusing,” I offered.

“Why do you seek her?”

“I want to know if she was sent to me. Does she have something to say? Is she a messenger?”

“I don’t think that is what you need,” she said.

“No?”

“Maybe it is not about you. The question that you should be asking is what you can do for her.”

“Really?”

“You should go on with your life. She will continue to communicate with you. She will provide the answers to what you are seeking.” With that, she got up and gestured to the door.

I did as she indicated.