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She was mystical, mythical and magic. As wafting, intoxicating fumes arose from the cleft in the cave floor she would prophetize for the likes of Socrates, Plato and Plutarch. Her forecasts and pronouncements on matters of state, war, love and fortunes unalterably changed and challenged the ancient world and undoubtedly have impacted our modern way of thinking. She was Apollo’s mouthpiece and there has been no equal throughout the ages. A woman so revered, even Michelangelo deemed her worthy of depiction of her in the Sistine Chapel. This mysterious woman was the Oracle of Delphi.

The psychic phenomenon seekers, astrologers, I-Chingers, rune casters, New Agers and others have all sought to delve into the mysteries from within themselves and those the heavens (or netherworlds as the case may be) have to offer. From the lowly to the rich and famous many have sought to uncover the mysteries of the universe. Many have scoffed at the astrological consultations made by Nancy Reagan, but few with those of Queen Victoria and virtually none in the ancient world of The Oracle at Delphi. William J. Broad, prize winning journalist and author, has penned an exquisitely researched and written book on the preeminent soothsayer of all time in his marvelous, stunning work, The ORACLE: Ancient Delphi and the Science Behind Its Lost Secrets.

In ancient times Delphi was considered to be the navel or center of the earth and the pilgrimage to visit the oracle was common, a necessity for many. The oracle, generally a woman over the age of fifty, whose qualifications simply consisted of being learned and unencumbered, was the “guide star of Greek civilization” and was deemed to be the “greatest authority of ancient Greece,” but in time Delphi and the oracle disappeared. During the time of Jesus many pagan gods and their ways were dismissed. The mystery of the oracle began to deepen. During the twentieth century man’s curiosity began to take hold and many began to challenge and question the Oracle’s existence.

One by one, four men, Jelle Zeilinga de Boer, John Hale, Rick Spiller and Jeffrey Chanton, gathered together to solve the mystery of the Oracle. Chance meetings, meetings somehow destined by the gods above, drew them together to solve a riddle. Their stunning revelations and discoveries would change the way we looked at the once mysterious, mystical and magical woman. Just who was she?

I must admit that this was a book that initially was a bit of a turn-off. Try as I might I was only able to read a few pages at a time because Broad’s history of the Oracle was, if anything, too well researched. The magnificent cover art work and the book blurb were very alluring and I thought I would have a one sitting read, but was soon disappointed. BUT . . . just before the middle of this book it took off like a rocket and with the archaeological mystery and sleuthing, I soon became engrossed. With this caveat emptor in mind, I’d highly recommend this book to anyone interested in archaeology, Greek history, mythology or, with a bit of reservation, those interested in psychical studies (this is not relative to the Oracle of Changes or its related philosophies).
Rating: 5 / 5

This book is great for anyone researching the Delphinic Oracle tradition. It also sheds light on a very economically legitimate career path for women in ancient Greece. I used this book for research while writing a young adult historical fiction novel. I was not disappointed.
Rating: 4 / 5