The fortune teller, intermediary between God and men, is the most important character of the shrine. According to Greek historian Diodora of Sicily, the first pitonisas were young virgins, but tradition changes the day in which a consultant, dragged by their lower instincts, violates one of them. They are then replaced by peasant women in fifty years, generally simple in the region. It was not necessary that they possessed a particular, because don which are so only were the instrument of Apolo.El day of the Oracle, the fortune teller is purificaba with a ritual bath and dressed Gala. He then stood in the depths of the sanctuary, on a golden tripod. There he breathed the Holy exhalation - pneuma enthousiastikon - and undoubtedly hallucinogenic that emanated from a cleft in the ground. Went into trance and was transformed into the voice of Apolo.Llegaron be necessary three pitonisas, who took turns answering questions. There are two explanations to explain the workings of the Oracle. One says that the fortune teller fell into trance chewing laurel leaves. Another, the most accepted and said, that this trademark on a tripod hanging in the abyss of a sacred crack from which emanated toxic fumes.Because of its influence emitted sounds and incoherent words priests or prophetes interpreted as responses of Apollo. Pilgrims of all Greece and even foreigners approached the Oracle walking from Athens or ship until the port called Itea today. At the magnificent temple of Apollo, ascending mount Parnassus by the Via Sacra, they purificaban in the waters of the fountain of Castalia. They then dotting a goat with cold water and if it was shaking with the entire body was sacrificed and the authorized Pilgrim to ask his question. Then he paid his fare and was expected to be cared for. The fortune teller was written on a Tablet question and fell into a trance to answer it. A priest performed the babbling and her writing in verse to the Pilgrim. Responses tended to be more tips than true predictions, and were so famous for its ambiguity and their successes not only rose to Delphi for the consideration of the most reliable Oracle, that made him remain in this place for several hundred years. The Spartan Phalantos consulted the Oracle about the expedition settler of Italy which was to begin, and received as a response that would take Taranto as soon as you feel fall rain sky clear.
