CERPI - no 23 - aout 1979

Magazine Overview

CERPI, issue number 23, dated August 1979, is a bi-monthly review focused on unexplained phenomena. The cover prominently displays the title 'CERPI' and the subtitle 'Centre d'études et de recherches des phénomènes inexpliqués' (Center for studies and research of unexplained phenomena). It features a central graphic of a UFO and includes a quote from Blaise Pascal. The issue is priced at 5 French Francs.

Editorial

The editorial, titled 'EDITORIAL', addresses the readers as 'Cher(e)s Amile(s)'. It highlights that this issue offers a lot of content, including a reprise of an article on the Piri Reis map, which had previously appeared in issue number 6. The original photo of the map was brought back from the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul by a member. The editorial also mentions two other reprinted articles from earlier issues (numbers 3 and 7): 'Le Livre d'Enoch' (The Book of Enoch) and 'La Grande Pyramide' (The Great Pyramid). These articles are being recirculated due to their interest and to answer questions posed during 'open house' events. The editorial notes that the number of articles is lower due to the vacation period but aims to provide a starting point for answers on these subjects, recommending further reading. It also announces a rediffusion of an investigation from issue number 5 (July-August 1976) titled 'quasi atterrissage à Saintes' (quasi-landing at Saintes). Finally, the issue is intended to introduce the CERPI group and its activities, concluding with holiday wishes.

Astronomy: Investigation Techniques - The Sky

This section, titled 'ASTRONOMIE TECHNIQUE DES ENQUETES le ciel', emphasizes the importance of basic astronomy knowledge for UFO investigators. CERPI presents several star charts from 'Le Guide des étoiles' to help readers identify celestial phenomena and avoid misclassifying known objects as UFOs. The section includes a general overview chart of the sky and a list of the fifty brightest stars. It also features eight detailed charts of specific sky sections, with four appearing in this issue and four in the next. The charts provided are: 'La Vierge', 'Vue des Pôles', '1 Astour du Pôle Nord', '2. Le Carré de Pégase', '3. La Croix du Cygne', and '4 L'Arc de cercle de la Grande Ourse'. The text explains how to use these charts, including the concept of stellar magnitude, where brighter stars have lower magnitude numbers (e.g., Sirius at 1.58, Aldebaran at 1.06, and the Pole Star at 2.12). It also touches upon the apparent movement of planets and their distinction from stars (planets do not twinkle and appear as discs under magnification). The article notes that planets move within the 'ecliptic' zone, the Sun's trajectory, and suggests looking for them in constellations associated with the ecliptic, including Ophiuchus and the 12 Zodiacal constellations.

Cosmography: The Sun

This section, 'COSMOGRAPHIE le soleil', continues from issue number 22 and discusses atmospheric refraction, explaining how it makes celestial bodies appear higher than they are. It details the apparent trajectory of the Sun around the Earth, describing it as an ellipse with the Earth at one focus, and mentions the Sun's apparent diameter being approximately 32 minutes and 3 seconds. The text explains the terms 'perigee' (closest point to Earth) and 'apogee' (farthest point from Earth) in the Sun's apparent orbit. It also introduces the concept of the Sun's horizontal parallax and its distance from Earth, noting that the method is analogous to triangulation.

Presentation of CERPI

The section 'LE C.E.R.P.I. : présentation' details the organization's background and activities. CERPI was officially declared on April 15, 1975, as a non-profit cultural association operating under the law of July 1, 1901. It is run by volunteers. The association has its headquarters at 51, rue St-Pallais, 17100 Saintes, a editorial and subscription center at 6, rue des Vendanges, 17100 Saintes, and a 'Detection' service at La Queue du Marais GEAY, 17250 ST-PORCHAIRE. CERPI extends its activities across the Charente and Charente-Maritime departments. Its mission is to study unexplained phenomena in three main directions: 1) Ufology, including astronomy, cosmography, and astronautics; 2) Parapsychology, covering telepathy, telekinesis, and radiesthésia; and 3) Mysterious Archaeology, investigating elements like the Piri Reis maps, the Bimini walls, and the Antikytheran mechanism. CERPI aims to inform the public by disseminating research results through its bi-monthly bulletin. The organization also reports its UFO investigation findings to national (GEPAN), European (OURANOS), and international (CUFOS) groups.

Membership and Activities

The document outlines the criteria for membership in CERPI, requiring adherence to statutes and payment of an annual cotisation. Members receive benefits such as the right to hold office, reduced journal subscription rates, free access to paid events, and access to the association's library and equipment. CERPI also organizes various activities, including one-day 'investigator seminars' for ufology and two-day 'seminars on brain rhythms' for parapsychology. The organization maintains relationships with other national and international UFO groups through bulletin exchanges and participation in events. CERPI's life includes regular bureau meetings (first Friday of each month), friendly gatherings (last Saturday of each month), and public information sessions like 'open house' events and 'slide-debate' evenings. Investigators typically conduct their work on Saturdays, with flexibility for urgent cases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are ufology, astronomy, parapsychology, and mysterious archaeology, reflecting CERPI's core areas of interest. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry and information dissemination, aiming to help individuals better understand unexplained phenomena and encourage personal research. The magazine emphasizes a non-dogmatic approach, stating that 'no one knows the truth' and that the goal is to enable people to ask questions and begin their own research process. The publication serves as a platform for sharing findings, research, and knowledge, often through reprinted articles and original investigations, while maintaining a cultural and informative objective.

This issue of "ENQUETES C.E.R.P.I." (Issue No. 15, dated March 16, 1976) features investigations by Claude Souris and Guy Wascowiski. The magazine covers a UFO sighting, an analysis of the ancient 'Book of Enoch,' and a discussion on the construction and mysteries of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Investigation: UFO Sighting at Le Bois St-Vivien

The primary investigation details an encounter by the Patry family on the evening of March 16, 1976, in Le Bois St-Vivien, near Saintes. The family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Patry and their four sons (Jean-Marie, 19; Guy, 18; Michel, 15; and Stéphane, 11), was watching television when they heard a powerful, humming noise, described as similar to a large electric fan. The sound seemed to come from behind a vineyard.

They observed an object, described by various family members as round, oval, or like an overturned salad bowl. Its color was reported differently as orange, red, or white. The estimated size was between 7 to 10 meters, and the phenomenon lasted for about one minute. The object moved rapidly away from the house in the direction of Saintes. The witnesses found it impossible to compare the object to known aircraft like airplanes.

The following day, Claude Souris revisited the site at Mr. Patry's request. A patch of grass, approximately 3 meters by 30 meters, was found to be slightly reddened in the area where the noise was initially heard. This patch was analyzed and revealed traces of radioactivity. The investigation noted that the analysis was conducted about a month after the object's passage.

The issue includes diagrams illustrating the different perceived shapes and colors of the object by the witnesses and a sketch of the observation area, including a rural path, a hedge, and the burnt grass.

Technical Article: Rectangular Coordinates

This section provides a technical explanation of how to use rectangular coordinates on IGN (Institut Géographique National) maps. It emphasizes the importance of precise location recording for future reference. The article explains the concept of map scale, using the 1/25,000 scale as an example, where one centimeter on the map represents 250 meters on the ground. It details how to read and use the grid lines (X and Y coordinates) marked on the map's edges. The text also introduces the 'Lambert' quadrillage system used for French maps, which divides the country into zones (Lambert I, II, III) to account for the Earth's spherical nature and ensure consistency in calculations across different map sheets.

Article: The Book of Enoch

This article discusses the 'Book of Enoch,' an apocryphal text that is not part of the standard biblical canon but is referenced in Jude 14 and other biblical passages. The author explains the etymological meaning of 'apocrypha' as 'hidden writing.' The book is presented as having significant interest for research into ancient history and the worlds that preceded ours. Several passages from Chapters VII and VIII of Enoch are quoted, detailing the story of fallen angels (the Watchers) who descended to Earth, took human wives, and fathered giants (Nephilim). These angels are also described as teaching humans various forbidden arts, including sorcery, metallurgy, and astronomy, leading to corruption and violence on Earth.

The article notes that the Book of Enoch was excluded from the biblical canon because it challenged the Genesis account of creation, particularly regarding the origin of humanity and the 'sons of heaven.' It suggests that the book places the creation of Adam and Eve around 4000 BC, but offers a different explanation for the presence of beings on Earth.

Article: Where are you Khoufou?

This section delves into the mysteries surrounding the Great Pyramid of Giza, questioning its purpose and construction. The author notes the absence of the usual funerary offerings found in other pyramids, suggesting it might not have been solely a tomb. The article highlights the pyramid's immense dimensions: built on 5 hectares, 146 meters high, weighing 6 million tons, constructed from 2.3 million blocks of stone ranging from 2.5 to 50 tons each, assembled with remarkable precision.

It references Herodotus's account of its construction by Pharaoh Khoufou (Keops) of the 4th Dynasty, describing a workforce of 100,000 men rotated every three months, with construction taking decades. The article points out logistical challenges, such as transporting materials like granite from Assouan (1000 km south) and limestone from the Giza plateau, especially considering the ancient Egyptians' lack of wheels or advanced machinery for lifting heavy blocks to such heights.

The geographical position of Cheops is noted as being at the center of Upper and Lower Egypt, dividing the globe into two equal landmasses. The article also touches upon the historical visit of Caliph Al-Mamoun in 820 AD, who breached the pyramid's structure in search of chambers, eventually finding the King's Chamber containing an empty stone sarcophagus.

Further historical accounts are presented, including a narrative from Ibrahim Ibn Wasif Châh, suggesting the pyramids were built 300 years before the Great Flood, placing their construction around 10,800 BC. Evidence cited includes ancient writings on the stones and the discovery of micro-shells on the pyramid's foundations, hinting at an antediluvian origin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained phenomena (UFOs), ancient mysteries, and historical enigmas. The magazine adopts an investigative and analytical stance, presenting evidence, witness accounts, and historical texts to explore these subjects. There is a clear interest in challenging conventional historical and scientific narratives, particularly concerning ancient civilizations and extraterrestrial or anomalous events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider alternative explanations and historical interpretations.

This issue of 'La Grande Pyramide' (identified by page number 19 and subsequent pages) appears to be a French-language publication focusing on the mysteries of the Great Pyramid of Giza and related phenomena, including 'pyramid power' and UFOs. The content spans discussions on the physical structure of the pyramids, purported energetic effects, and historical accounts, alongside practical instructions for building a pyramid maquette and information on seminars and esoteric organizations.

The Great Pyramid and Its Mysteries

The issue begins with detailed diagrams of the Giza plateau, identifying the pyramids of Mykérinos, Khéphren, and Chéops, as well as the Sphinx and surrounding temples (Fig. 1, 2, 3). It presents cross-sections and profiles of the Great Pyramid (Fig. 4), indicating dimensions such as a base of 230.625 m and a height of 146.76 m, with an internal chamber ('Chambre du roi') and passages. Further diagrams on page 2 illustrate a maquette of a pyramid, showing its dimensions (base 461 mm, sides 439 mm, height 294 mm) and its orientation (Fig. 5, 6, 7).

Pyramid Power and Dehydration

A significant portion of the content is dedicated to the phenomenon of 'pyramid power.' It recounts an experience of a visitor named BOVIS who found un-decomposed animal bodies inside the Great Pyramid, noting they were dessicated rather than decomposed. This led to experiments by a French individual who built a maquette. When a dead cat was placed inside, it also dessicated. The article mentions Karel Orbal, an Ingénieur-radio from Prague, who became interested and concluded that the pyramid's shape influences physical, chemical, and biological processes. Orbal's research led to a patent in 1959 (No. 91304) for a process to re-sharpen used razor blades by placing them inside a pyramid. A factory was established to produce miniature cardboard pyramids.

Lyall Watson, a biologist, offers an explanation, suggesting that the crystalline structure of a razor blade is like a living crystal that reproduces itself. He hypothesizes that pyramids act as energy concentrators or resonators, encouraging crystal development. He likens the pyramid's shape to that of a magnetite crystal, potentially creating a magnetic field. Watson attests to the effectiveness of this process, stating his Wilkinson Sword blades lasted four months of continuous daily use.

Building a Pyramid Maquette

Instructions are provided for constructing a pyramid maquette. The base should be the real dimensions divided by 500. Four isosceles triangles with a base side of 461 mm and two other sides of 439 mm are to be cut from cardboard and assembled. The resulting pyramid will be 294 mm high, with an internal shelf at 83 mm. The finished maquette must be oriented south-north.

Historical UFO Sighting

Page 7 features a crossword puzzle related to 'UFO Civilisations Parapsychologie Enigmes.' More significantly, it presents a historical UFO report. The cover of the 'San Francisco Call' from November 19, 1896, is reproduced (page 8), showing an illustration of an airship that allegedly passed over Sacramento. The headline reads: "THE AIRSHIP THAT PASSED OVER SACRAMENTO TUESDAY EVENING, AS DESCRIBED BY SCORES OF EYE-WITNESSES. SAN FRANCISCO CALL, NOVEMBER 19, 1896."

Seminars and Organizations

Page 5 announces upcoming seminars: 'RYTHMES DU CERVEAU' (Brain Rhythms) on October 13-14, 1979, with contact Abel LANDAIS, and 'ENQUÊTEUR' (Investigator) on October 20, 1979, with contact Claude SOURIS. It also mentions a meeting on September 29th hosted by Guy WASCOWISKI. A subscription form for the 'CERPI' review is included.

Page 6 lists received bulletins from various associations, including GEOS, VERONICA, CSERU (Comité Savoyard d'Etudes et de Recherches Ufologiques), and GROUPEMENT NORDISTE D'ETUDES. An adhesion form for the 'Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches des Phénomènes Inexpliqués' (CERPI) is also present, offering membership tiers (sympathisant, actif, actif étudiant/militaire) with associated fees and a subscription to the CERPI Journal.

Page 4 features an advertisement for the 'ORDRE ROSICRUCIEN A.M.O.R.C.' (Rosicrucian Order), highlighting its motto "La plus large TOLERANCE dans la plus stricte INDEPENDANCE..." and inviting interested individuals to request a free brochure titled 'MAITRISE DE LA VIE' (Mastery of Life).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the potential energetic properties of pyramids ('pyramid power'), ancient knowledge and mysteries, and unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs). The editorial stance appears to be one of exploration and dissemination of information regarding these subjects, encouraging readers to conduct their own experiments and consider the possibility of advanced ancient sciences. The inclusion of seminars and esoteric organizations suggests an interest in broader paranormal and self-improvement topics.