Circulaire du CERPI - no 1 6 - 1981

Magazine Overview

This document is an issue of CERPI, a French bimonthly magazine focused on unexplained phenomena, specifically ufology and parapsychology. The cover, dated 1984, prominently features the title 'CERPI' and a stylized illustration related to UFOs. The magazine is published by CERPI, based in Saintes, France.

Editorial and Organizational Information

The editorial section of page 2 discusses a shift in the journal's format, noting that it will appear 'a little more faded' due to reduced resources. The editors express a slight bitterness about this change but promise to continue their work on investigations and slide debates. The journal's production will rely on various duplication methods from different members. The issue also provides contact information for the publication, including its address in Saintes and telephone number. Claude Souris is listed as the correspondent. The editorial committee includes Claude Souris, Yvette Souris, and Robert Souris. Michel Souris is the honorary president and founding member.

CERPI is identified as a member of the C.E.C.R.U. (Centre Européen de Coordination de la Recherche Ufologique). The magazine accepts advertisements and articles, with submissions to be typed on white paper (210/297). Political, religious, or advertising content is refused.

Page 3 details the General Assembly of CERPI held on January 17, 1981, in Saintes. It lists the key members and their roles: Claude Souris (President), Guy Wascowiski (Vice-President), Jacqueline Quie (Secretary), Jean-Marie Desaphis (Adj. Secretary), Christine Thomas (Treasurer), Pierre Paillat (Adj. Treasurer), and Jean-Louis Castel (7th Member), along with their contact details. A calendar for CERPI meetings in 1981 is provided, indicating that bureau meetings are held on the first Friday of each month and are open to auditors.

Page 4 outlines the Manifestations and Reunions planned for 1981. These include a spring weekend in Périgord Noir on April 11-12, potentially near a UFO landing site, with a contact attempt planned. Five observation evenings are scheduled from May to September, each led by a different person. A seminar for investigators is also planned for April, with the exact date and location to be determined. Information on completed or planned investigations will be shared at the beginning of CERPI evenings in February, May, August, and November. The organization is also preparing a letter to municipalities and educational institutions to propose their slide debates on Ufology and Parapsychology.

Critique of Jacques Vallée's Book

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a critique of Jacques Vallée's book, 'Les Messagers de la Tromperie' ('Messengers of Deception'). A letter dated June 25, 1979, from Vincent White to Jim and Coral Lorenzen, expresses dismay at Vallée's work, which White believes is undermining the credibility and scientific basis of ufological research. White calls for an energetic refutation of the book.

Pages 7 and 8 elaborate on this critique. White argues that Vallée's book poses a threat to the respectability and solid body of research that ufology has built over the years. He suggests that Vallée's work could lead to ufology becoming mainstream, potentially turning into a form of 'planetary paranoia.' White asserts that the book will primarily attract those ignorant of ufological data and that academics might dismiss it as 'paranoia amassed on dreams.' He fears that the public might conflate UFOs with fictional monsters. White describes Vallée's arguments as subtle but ultimately based on vague, obscure, and flawed hypotheses, leading to an 'ultimate absurdity.'

According to White's interpretation of Vallée's book, UFOs are described as 'mass manipulation machines' or 'psychic television apparatuses' designed to interact with humans, condition their behavior, and inject new beliefs that will destroy present civilization. These entities are depicted as psychic chameleons, capable of various disguises, including appearing as spaceships. White dismisses any physical traces or mechanical landings as part of this deception.

Pages 9 and 10 continue the critique, questioning the nature of the alleged 'mysterious organization' behind the UFO phenomenon. White suggests that if this is a grand deception, it has been ongoing for millennia, with advanced technological details incorporated into the camouflage. He finds the idea of a millennia-long deception complex and questions why UFOs do not appear more frequently if their purpose is to distract from human problems. White also critiques Vallée's assertion that conditioning is incompatible with an extraterrestrial origin, suggesting that an interstellar agency might gradually introduce itself to humanity through a long-term program of increasing UFO sightings.

UFO Sighting Report

Page 5 contains a Rapport d'Enquête (Investigation Report), number 107, by CERPI. The report details an investigation conducted on November 23, 1980, concerning an observation made on September 16, 1980, at approximately 10:00 PM to 10:15 PM in Angiré, France. The witness, Martine Bataille, a 26-year-old professor, reported seeing something in the sky at the level of a neighboring house. She described it as having a bright color, 'like a clear moon,' which lasted only a few seconds. The object was initially cigar-shaped with rounded ends and stationary, then it quickly took the form of a trapezoid as it moved obliquely. When she called her husband, a former pilot, the object was no longer visible.

Other Content

Page 4 includes a crossword puzzle solution from CERPI N° 29. The magazine also mentions its previous issue, CERPI N° 29, and provides a solution to its crossword puzzle.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are Ufology, Parapsychology, and the critical analysis of UFO-related literature, particularly the work of Jacques Vallée. The editorial stance appears to be one of defending the established research in ufology against what they perceive as detrimental theories. There is a clear emphasis on rigorous investigation and the need for credibility within the field. The magazine also highlights its organizational activities and community engagement through meetings and planned events.

This issue of "HISTOIRE D'O.V.N.I." (History of UFOs), identified as issue number 102 and volume 27, published in February 1973, focuses on a significant UFO encounter and explores broader themes of skepticism and the nature of UFO phenomena.

The Montpazier Sighting (February 1973)

The central narrative details an encounter experienced by sisters Léa and Idalie Caminade on their farm "Bidou-Haut" near Montpazier, France, in February 1973. Léa, aged 70, initially noticed flickering lights. Later that evening, Idalie observed a large red sphere, described as "like a big copper cauldron," hovering in a nearby valley. She initially considered natural explanations like the sun, a car, or a fire, but the object's movement – described as jumping, moving in a line, and then in a star-like pattern without noise – ruled these out. The object's color also shifted, displaying red, orange, blue, and green hues. Idalie eventually concluded it might be a "Martian" "flying saucer." The object then moved closer and hovered, prompting Idalie to call Léa. They experienced a sense of "marvelous" and a feeling that "they" were waiting. Idalie used a flashlight to send signals, and the sphere responded by illuminating a row of smaller lights and changing its overall color. When Idalie stopped signaling, the lights on the sphere also stopped.

The Follow-Up and Physical Evidence (August 1974)

After the initial encounter, Léa and Idalie kept their experience secret for over a year, fearing ridicule. In August 1974, they decided to share their story with family members, Françoise and Raymond, who were discussing "table turning" and "paranormal powers." The group decided to visit the site. Idalie and Raymond ventured deeper into the woods. They found that the trees in the area were scorched at mid-height, appearing as if blown into a gerbe or corolla shape. Idalie noted that the lière (ivy) was also scorched, which was unusual. Raymond and Françoise confirmed that the trees seemed "blown" and scorched at the height where the "ball" had been, leading them to conclude it was "a flying saucer."

Skepticism and Critique of Jacques Vallee

The issue also delves into skepticism surrounding UFO phenomena, particularly critiquing the arguments of Jacques Vallee. The author questions Vallee's dismissal of extraterrestrial hypotheses, suggesting that his arguments are based on assumptions and that he might be overlooking empirical evidence. The article references Vallee's book and his interactions with individuals like Carlos Castaneda, implying that Vallee's perspective might be influenced by his research into cults and altered states of consciousness. The author posits that Vallee's "control group" theory, which suggests that UFO appearances are orchestrated, is a form of "super-paranoia" and that Vallee himself might be the leader of such a group. The article advocates for empirical examination of facts rather than relying on theoretical constructs.

Broader Implications and Theories

The text touches upon the vastness of the galaxy and the potential for advanced civilizations to travel between stars. It questions why a "mysterious occult group" would attempt to conceal this reality. The article also considers alternative explanations for UFOs, such as temporal travelers or transdimensional beings, and questions the purpose of such elaborate deceptions. It references the Pioneer plaque with human figures and symbols, suggesting a message from Earth to potential extraterrestrial civilizations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed recounting of a specific UFO sighting, the corroboration of that sighting with physical evidence, and a critical examination of skepticism, particularly as represented by Jacques Vallee. The editorial stance appears to favor the empirical investigation of UFO phenomena and is critical of theories that dismiss the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation without sufficient evidence. The article emphasizes the importance of observing facts and avoiding preconceived notions, while also acknowledging the profound emotional impact of extraordinary encounters, as expressed in the closing quote from Léa and Idalie.