ORACLE OF DELPHI: Manly P Hall

I had the fortune of visiting Manly P Hall’s Library in 2004 and actually taught there.

The following is one of my favourite pages from the works of Manly P Hall: ORACLE OF DELPHI: Who Predicted The Birth Of Pythagoras.

The following notes are extracted from Manly P Halls 1928 classic: The Secret Teachings of All Ages. Chapters LXI-LXIII:

• She predicted the Birth of Pythagoras!

• Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses travelled from abroad to consult the Spirit of Apollo through the Oracle of Delphi, asking important questions like: Will we win the war, Will we conceive a child…? • Oracle of the Cave of Trophonis.

• Spirit in the Fumes rose out of a fissure, enters the body of the Priestess. The Delphian Tripod then vibrates. Loud noises are heard until the Spirit releases its hold upon the Pythia. • Symbolism of the 3 legs of the Tripod = the periods of Time controlled by Apollo: The Past, Present and the Future.

• Space is represented by the Tetrahedron upon which she sits. At the end of each leg is a claw.

• Symbolism = Spiritual Nature of Man/Woman is suspended over the Abyss of Oblivion by 3 Golden Threads of Divine Power.

• The Face of Apollo appears upon the Tripod.

• Around the Base are 3 coiled Serpents symbolizing the slain Python, whose decaying body lies beneath the shrine.

• A Purification Ceremony before consultation with the Virgin Priestesses, was required before any channelling, she had to fast for 3 days, bathe in the Castalian well, drink from the Fountain of Cassotis that was piped to the cave and minutes before the session, she had to chew a few leaves of the sacred bay tree. When prophesizing, 5 Hosii or holy men, interpreted all her unintelligible cries, sounds and words

• She symbolizes the Descent of the Spirit, surrender to the Spirit, and is illuminated by a ray of Divine Fire. She sits on the Seat of God or the apex of the sacred Pythagorean Tetrahedron.

• The famous Greek historian, Iamblichus, wrote about her in his “The Mysteries”

• One day a famous Neo-Pythagorean philosopher and mathematician, Apollonius, known for his works on Conics and Plane Loci, met the Oracle of Delphi. He asked her: “Will I be remembered by future generations?” She said “Yes, but it would always be calumniated (utter false and malicious statements)”. He left in anger, and time proved that she was right, as the early church fathers perpetuated the name of Apollonius as the Anti-Christ!

• All these prophesies and stories that were witnessed and recorded by the Hosii scribes were put into verse and made shareable for the general population, which added more allure to the mystery of the Prophetess.

• This was a time when many other cultures in India, Egypt, Sumeria etc claimed they had perpetually burning oil lamps. Greece’s claim was the smoking Abyss.

Jain 108