Even on the nine days that Pythia was theoretically available, the consultants had to await a decision by the priests that consultation could go ahead. The priests selected a goat that had to be pure and without any visible defect and sprinkled cold water on it. If the animal shuddered, it indicated that Apollo approved and was available for consultation. Unfortunately, for the goat, the god’s approval meant that its days were over. The animal was sacrificed on the great altar outside the temple as a sign to all believers (who were standing in line for hours by then) that the day was auspicious and the consultation would go ahead.