CISU Sicilia - No 10 - giugno 2000

Magazine Overview

Title: CISU SICILIA
Issue Date: Giugno 2000 (June 2000)
Issue Number: 10
Publisher: CISU (Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici)
Country of Publication: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of CISU Sicilia, a bulletin from the Italian Center for Ufological Studies, focuses on UFO-related phenomena and research in Sicily and Italy during 1999-2000. It includes an editorial, news reports, and in-depth articles exploring the intersection of ufology with parapsychology and the nature of dreams.

Editorial: OLTRE I "GRIGI" (Beyond the "Greys")

The editorial by Antonio Blanco addresses the increasing presence of UFO imagery in popular culture, including television, advertising, and print media. Blanco notes that 'Greys' have become sought-after testimonials by marketing agencies, used to promote products, especially new mobile technologies. He cites examples like Lufthansa's 'Flying Discs' collection for children and the use of alien imagery in advertising campaigns in Catania. The editorial also mentions the display of a life-size alien poster in bookstores and the frequent coverage of UFOs in national television programs and films, often for entertainment rather than serious investigation. Blanco contrasts this with more serious approaches, highlighting a segment on the Italian television program "Finestre" that discussed UFO sightings by pilots and military dossiers, suggesting a more grounded ufology that engages with science and authorities.

UFO NEWS SICILIA

This section, compiled by Antonio Blanco, details several sightings and phenomena from the latter half of 1999 and early 2000:

• Palermo Sighting (June 12, 1999): A doctor and friends observed a star-like light, brighter than Venus, moving uniformly across the sky for about 25 minutes before declining westward and losing luminosity. Investigations are underway to determine if it involved two distinct lights.
• Exceptional Bolide (July 19, 1999): A spectacular phenomenon, described as a large, red fiery sphere with a luminous trail, was witnessed across southern Italy and Sicily around 3:00 AM. Descriptions varied, mentioning a red ball, a bright red trail, a yellowish-circular light, and a large red sphere emitting a slight hiss and sparks. Several locations in Sicily reported the event, and an exceptional 53-second film of a falling red sphere with an orange-yellow trail exists in the CISU archive.
• Meteorological Phenomena (July 21, 1999): Journalist Vittorio Consoli and his daughter Monica observed a vivid white meteor, brighter than the moon, with a greenish trail, at high altitude over Viagrande (CT).
• May 24, 2000 Sighting: Around 11:45 PM, a strong light, described as blue and spherical, illuminated the surroundings and crossed the sky in about ten seconds near Rakaia (Marsala, TP). Similar sightings were reported from Catania, Messina, and Gela.
• Iridium Flares: The text notes that some sightings, like a star-like white-yellow light observed near Mitazzo, might be attributable to Iridium flares. However, the Iridium satellite consortium's financial difficulties might lead to the dismantling of its network, potentially ending these types of sightings.
• Smoke Rings (October 23, 1999): A peculiar phenomenon of a white circle with a darker center appeared over Mount Etna, visible for about 10 minutes from various towns. It was later identified as gas rings naturally produced by the volcano, which can be mistaken for 'flying discs' under certain atmospheric conditions.
• First UFO of 2000 (March 18, 2000): A bluish, vaguely circular, pulsating light was observed moving erratically at low altitude over the sea near Calderà (Messina province) before disappearing.

Books and Events

• "Scrutate i cieli!" (Look at the Skies!): This book by Giuseppe Stilo, a coordinator for CISU's 'Operazione Origini' project, documents the first major global wave of UFO sightings in 1950, with a particular focus on the Italian wave between March and May of that year. It also discusses parallel waves in Europe, Latin America, and the United States. The book is published by Cooperativa UPIAR.
• John Duncan's "UFO: Avvistamenti, rapimenti e incontri ravvicinati. Fatti, bugie e dubbi" (UFO: Sightings, Abductions, and Close Encounters. Facts, Lies, and Doubts): This book for young readers is noted for its balanced approach.
• CISU Conference and Alberto Lazzaro Award: The 15th National Ufology Conference, organized by CISU in Arezzo on April 29, 2000, focused on 'The Investigation of UFO Sightings'. The annual 'Premio Alberto Lazzaro' was awarded: Dario Paganini received the award for 'investigations' for his report on a nighttime light case, and Stefania Genovese received it for 'articles and texts' for her philosophy thesis on 'Ufological Mythopoiesis'.

UFO e Parapsicologia (UFOs and Parapsychology)

Salvatore Foresta explores the long-standing connection between paranormal phenomena and ufology. He references a 1954 newspaper article that suggested psychological explanations for UFO sightings, drawing parallels with ghost apparitions. Foresta discusses the work of Tyrrel, who believed that apparitions, including ghosts, follow a natural, possibly psychological law, suggesting that witnesses experience similar mental states. While acknowledging similarities between UFOs and ghosts, Foresta expresses reservations about a direct link, noting the UFO phenomenon's forward-looking aspect (extraterrestrial civilizations) versus the ghost phenomenon's backward-looking nature (residual psychic energy of the deceased).

Foresta posits that phenomena like hallucinations, dreams, and visions might be subjective manifestations. He suggests that the 'psychic contagion' effect can lead balanced individuals to 'see' UFOs due to the power of suggestion. He also touches upon psychometry and 'environmental psychometry' as potential, though limited, explanations for some sightings. The article emphasizes that subjective experiences, like hallucinations, might be the result of the mind's attempt to process information or fulfill psychological needs, rather than objective physical events.

Sogno o Son Desto? (Dream or Awake?)

Giuseppe Garozzo delves into the nature of dreams and their potential connection to reality and psychological states. He begins by acknowledging the common understanding of conscious and unconscious minds, often discussed in relation to dreams. Garozzo argues that mystery is an inherent part of human life and that phenomena like hallucinations, dreams, and visions are part of this mysterious aspect, not necessarily supernatural or pathological.

He proposes that dreams are a consequence of a biologically useful mental process with a vital function. Garozzo outlines four properties of dreams:

1. Dreams access a vast amount of material beyond conscious reach.
2. An autonomous creative tool exists within us, capable of generating unlimited plots and scenarios (termed 'the director of dreams').
3. This 'director' instantly processes any external and internal stimulus.
4. Dreams are not all equal; some are particularly impactful.

Garozzo suggests that the 'director of dreams' has exceptional knowledge of our minds, bodies, and environment, recording daily events and presenting relevant material during sleep. He posits that this director, residing in the unconscious, plays a crucial role in our well-being and can even provide warnings or important information. He uses the example of a father dreaming of his son burning, interpreting it not just as wish fulfillment (Freud's view) but as a vital alert from the unconscious director to prevent harm.

The article further explores how dreams can serve as warnings, citing Freud's interpretation of a dream about a burning son. Garozzo argues that the dream's primary function was to alert the father to the danger. He also discusses how children's imaginary companions might be a way to cope with loneliness or fulfill desires. He suggests that certain hallucinations, like seeing a 'vecchietto' (old man) accompanying a child, could be the 'director of dreams' intervening to ensure the child's safety by creating a comforting illusion. Garozzo concludes by suggesting that the 'director of dreams' might even be responsible for certain UFO experiences, particularly subjective ones like 'light beings' or domestic apparitions, proposing that ufology should explore the influence of the witness and consider phenomena like those at Hessdalen, where 'the laboratory' has begun to replace the witness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of CISU Sicilia include the increasing visibility of UFOs in popular culture, the potential overlap between ufology and parapsychology, and the exploration of subjective experiences like dreams and hallucinations as potential windows into psychological processes or even as forms of communication. The editorial stance appears to favor a more serious, investigative approach to ufology, distinguishing it from sensationalized media portrayals. The publication aims to inform its readers about recent sightings, research, and publications within the ufological community, particularly in Sicily and Italy.