The Sibyl's Seat

By Sadhika on

“you will see an inspired prophetess, who deep in a rocky cave sings the Fates and entrusts to leaves signs and symbols. Whatever verses the maid has traced on leaves she arranged in order and stores away in the cave. These remain unmoved in their places and do not quit their rank; but when at the turn of a hinge a light breeze has stirred them, and the open door has scattered the tender foliage, never thereafter does she care to catch them, as they flutter in the rocky cave, nor to recover their places and unite the verses; in inquirers depart no wiser than they came, and loathe the Sibyl’s seat. Here let no loss of time by delay be of such importance in your eyes – though comrades chide, though the voyage urgently calls your sails to the deep and you have the chance to swell their folds with favouring gales – that you do not visit the prophetess and with prayers plead that she herself chant the oracles, and graciously open her lips in speech. The nations of Italy, the wars to come, how you are to flee or face each toil, she will unfold to you; and, reverently besought, she will grant you a prosperous voyage.”

            - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book III (translated by H.R. Fairclough)


1.

“...sings the Fates and entrusts to leaves signs and symbols...”
“Leaves” here is representative of Nature. It only seems logical that Nature can teach us profound lessons about life, our primitive past and even give indications of what lies in store for us in the future. It has already been known that there are a number of mathematical patterns in operation when it comes to Nature, which means that it may be possible that Sibyl was one such person capable of reading these patterns and drawing out the connections.


2.

“...Whatever verses the maid has traced on leaves she arranged in order and stores away in the cave.”
The “cave” is symbolic of chaos*. The wisdom that Nature offers to us ever so freely is enveloped in chaos, which we, like the mythological heroes of the past, must journey into and draw out the pearls.


3.

“These remain unmoved in their places and do not quit their rank; but when at the turn of a hinge a light breeze has stirred them, and the open door has scattered the tender foliage, never thereafter does she care to catch them…”

This is an example of our subservience to Nature, we answer to her beck and call all through our lives. 


4.

“...in inquirers depart no wiser than they came, and loathe the Sibyl’s seat.”

Those who inquire further than what Nature deigns to allow us, depart no wiser than they came.


5.

“Here let no loss of time by delay be of such importance in your eyes – though comrades chide, though the voyage urgently calls your sails to the deep and you have the chance to swell their folds with favouring gales…”

The hero must strive forward on his journey into chaos without being swayed by concerns such as squandering of time, the persuasions of peers or the temptations laid cleverly on his path by Nature, who has her own process of selecting the most worthy candidates on whom she bestows her wisdom.


6.

“The nations of Italy, the wars to come, how you are to flee or face each toil, she will unfold to you; and, reverently besought, she will grant you a prosperous voyage.”

If the hero abides by all of Nature’s laws, and journeys forth into chaos without being swayed by earthly concerns or temptations, he is privy to all the wisdom that Nature lays forth before him - the troubles that are to befall him and how he can manage to flee or face these troubles.



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* The "cave" as a symbol of chaos

1. The Aeneid - Virgil

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