Who The Oracle Is In Percy Jackson (& Why She Turns Into Gabe When Telling The Prophecy)

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Percy Jackson episode 3 and The Lightning Thief book.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians introduces the Oracle of Delphi in episode 3, giving Percy insight into his upcoming quest before he embarks on it. Despite initially looking like “a Halloween decoration,” the Oracle offers Percy a poignant warning — and does so in a fascinating form. Upon awaking, the Oracle shifts from an elderly woman to Gabe Ugliano, Percy’s unlikable step-father. It’s a hilarious take on Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson books, and it draws inspiration from the Oracle of Delphi’s depiction in Greek mythology and its background in Riordan’s lore.

Despite the humorous form, the Oracle offers Percy a serious prophecy in episode 3, revealing that he’ll successfully retrieve Zeus’ Lightning Bolt. However, Percy’s quest will come at a cost. As the Oracle tells him, “You shall be betrayed by the one who calls you friend, and fail to save what matters most in the end.” The truth behind this cryptic message is intentionally unclear, but fans of the Percy Jackson books will understand its meaning. This is how the Oracle functions in the world of Camp Half-Blood, and the being’s behavior goes back to Ancient Greece.

The Oracle Of Delphi Issues Prophecies In Greek Mythology

Her Predictions Supposedly Come From Apollo

It’s no surprise that Riordan’s books and Percy Jackson & the Olympians use the Oracle of Delphi to issue prophecies, as the Oracle is a well-known figure in Greek mythology and history. Even the Percy Jackson movies include the Oracle, though they introduce her later and in a different context than in the source material. The Oracle of Delphi was a real figure who delivered predictions, and she’s among the most well-known oracles from Greek mythos. The Oracle of Delphi operated out of Apollo’s temple in Delphi, delivering messages from the Olympian god that were frequently used to foretell how political scenarios and conflicts would play out (via Britannica).

Like the Oracle in the Disney+ series, the real Oracle of Delphi would communicate with those seeking her wisdom in a trance-like state (via King’s College). This resulted in predictions as confusing as Percy’s prophecy, which often took the form of riddles. This behavior was written off as hallucinations by scientists later on, but Riordan’s Oracle draws inspiration from the Oracle of Delphi and the tales surrounding her. It also puts a unique spin on the figure, which is why she appears as Gabe Ugliano when Percy consults her.

The Oracle Changes Bodies & Forms In Percy Jackson

This Is Likely Why She Projects Gabe Ugliano

Those wondering why the Oracle takes the form of Gabe Ugliano in Percy Jackson & the Olympians episode 3 can look to the series’ lore for answers. The Oracle is able to shift forms in the Percy Jackson universe, though a curse from Hades puts an end to this ability long before Percy arrives at Camp Half-Blood (via Fandom.com). However, the show seems to ignore that, or at least work around it, having the Oracle project Gabe to deliver her message. This happens in The Lightning Thief as well, though it isn’t entirely clear why Gabe is the one Percy sees at that moment.

It’s possible that Percy sees Gabe because he’s thinking about his mother and home life after his arrival at the demigod facility. However, the Oracle may be projecting uncomfortable images for other reasons, perhaps resenting the demigods constantly seeking her help or emphasizing the stakes of Percy’s failure to rescue his mother. Whatever the reason, the Oracle of Delphi has some chilling words for Percy, though they don’t necessarily mean what he — or viewers — think.

The Oracle’s Prophecy For Percy Explained: What It Really Means

Percy’s Prophecy Is Intentionally Misleading

Percy’s prophecy from episode 3 is intentionally shrouded in mystery, but everything comes together at the end of his quest. In this way, Percy Jackson & the Olympians sets up the rest of the series through the Oracle’s predictions. As the Oracle states, Percy will successfully locate Zeus’ Lightning Bolt and return it to the Olympian god. In doing so, he’ll learn that “the god who has turned” is Ares, who wants to initiate a war between the Big Three: Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. This line is meant to be misleading, as it initially seems that Hades is the betrayer. However, Percy winds up dueling Ares in The Lightning Thief.

As for the friend who will betray Percy, he’s right that it won’t be Annabeth or Grover. Feeling let down by his own father, Luke is the one who turns against Percy and Camp Half-Blood. Percy realizes that he’s the one who stole the Master Bolt after the quest is finished, and Luke’s gift to Percy is meant to hinder him if he reaches the Underworld. The Oracle also alludes to Percy being unable to “save what matters most,” though this isn’t as bleak as it sounds. Since Sally Jackson saves herself, Percy fails to do so. Fortunately, this means Percy Jackson & the Olympians can still reunite the pair.

Source: Britannica, King’s College, Fandom.com