Clypeus Piemonte Insolito - 1978 No 50

Magazine Overview

Title: PIEMONTE INSOLITO
Issue: No. 50 (Anno 13, Nuova Serie N.8)
Date: January - March 1978
Publisher: Gianni Settimo
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of 'Piemonte Insolito' delves into the myths, legends, and folklore of the Piedmont region, with a focus on local history, ancient beliefs, and cultural phenomena.

Contents Overview

The issue opens with an exclusive interview with the Venerable Lama Chérab Dordjé, director of the Kagyu Ling Buddhist Center in France. The interview, conducted in Turin, explores the Lama's perspective on Western religious thought, the concept of karma, reincarnation, and the practice of Buddhism for Westerners. He emphasizes the universality of emotions and the potential for spiritual growth regardless of nationality, while also noting a tendency in the West towards constant dissatisfaction and a pursuit of more.

Another significant article, "ALLA RICERCA DEL DIO PENN" by Roberto D'Amico, investigates the ancient Celtic deity known as Penn or Pennin. The author traces the worship of this mountain deity through various historical periods, noting its presence in the Alps and Apennines, and its possible connection to stone carvings and solar cults. The article highlights examples of rock formations and ancient sites in Piedmont and Liguria that are believed to be related to Penn's worship, including the "roccia del diavolo" in the Susa Valley and a cromlech near La Thuile.

The section "Giornalini a colori fin dal secolo scorso" by Gianna Baltaro sheds light on the history of children's illustrated magazines in Turin. It highlights "Granellin di Sale," published in 1893 by Casa Paravia, as a pioneering example of Italian children's periodicals with color illustrations. The article also discusses other early publications like "La Domenica dei fanciulli" (1900) and "Il Giovedì" (1888), noting their content, target audience, and the artistic contributions of illustrators like Attilio Mussino.

• Other articles in this issue include:
• "UN LAMA TIBETANO IN VISITA A TORINO" (Interview)
• "DOVE LE LEGGENDE" (Clypeus-Inchieste)
• "LO GNOMONE DEL DUOMO DI TORINO" by Gino Bertoli
• "RISPOSTA ALLO SPUNTO DI RICERCA N°4" by Lando Moglia
• "ROBBIO E LA SUA STORIA" by Ermanno Cardinali
• "LA GERLA" curated by Luciana Monticone
• "COLLOQUIO" curated by the Editorial Staff
• "ESPERIENZE DI UNA ESORCISTA TORINESE" by Bianca Ferrari
• "LETTERATURA INSOLITA" curated by Gianni V. Settimo
• "QUI UFO... QUI UFO..." curated by F.U.R.-Piemonte

The magazine also features a section on "TORINO COME ERAVAMO" curated by Carlo Moriondo.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

'Piemonte Insolito' consistently explores themes of local history, folklore, mythology, and unusual phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of cultural preservation and the promotion of regional identity, encouraging readers to engage with and appreciate the unique heritage of Piedmont and surrounding areas. The magazine also shows an interest in esoteric subjects, as evidenced by the UFO section and the coverage of Buddhist philosophy. The publication is distributed free of charge to members of the "Gruppo Clypeus," indicating a community-focused approach to disseminating information.

This issue of "L'Illustrazione dei Piccoli" (Volume XI, Issue 502, dated 1924) is a publication from Italy, originally in Italian. It was published by Picco e Toselli and featured a cover headline "IL DISCENDENTE DI CARLOMAGNO". The magazine's price was 25 centesimi.

Content Highlights

History of Children's Magazines The issue begins with a historical overview of Italian children's magazines, tracing their evolution from early publications like "L'Intrepido" (1919), which offered adventure, travel, and exploration stories with illustrations and captions, to the emergence of comic strips. It highlights "Cuor d'oro," a magazine from 1922, praised for its quality, taste, and engaging content, noting that its written and drawn material has retained its freshness over time. Other short-lived publications like "Il supplemento della domenica," "Il libro favorito," "Il giovane inventore," and "La moda" are also mentioned.

The Gnomon of the Duomo of Turin An in-depth article by Gino Bertoli discusses the gnomon on the side of the Duomo of Turin. This astronomical instrument, dating back to around 1770, was crucial for timekeeping before the widespread use of clocks. The article explains how the gnomon, with its shadow cast by a central star or disc, indicated midday and how its markings relate to the sun's position throughout the year and the zodiac. It notes that while the markings were preserved during a renovation, the supporting cable for an electric lamp obscured the central hole, diminishing its functionality. The article also references similar gnomons in Paris and Bologna, and the author's past efforts to preserve the Turin gnomon.

Prehistory of Robbio Another section, "Robbio Preistorica," explores the prehistoric inhabitants of the Lomellina region, specifically Robbio. It refutes theories that place the area in marshy or fluvial environments during the Neolithic period, citing historical accounts that describe the land as dry. The article details the discovery of stone axes similar to those found in other parts of Lombardy, suggesting that the region was inhabited by industrious tribes who had migrated from the alpine valleys. It places this Neolithic civilization between the late Stone Age and the early Bronze Age (4th millennium BCE - 1800 BCE), a period that also saw the development of Mediterranean civilization, including agriculture and animal domestication.

Bronze Age Findings in Robbio The article further details archaeological findings from the Bronze Age in Robbio. It discusses eight bronze objects acquired from antique dealers, believed to originate from a private collection of a local doctor. These objects, described as belonging to a very archaic phase of the Bronze Age, include a double-strand bronze bracelet, two sets of small bronze rings, and two bronze spirals. A significant find is a heavy bronze axe with a flat, wide blade, similar to those found in central Lombardy, suggesting a possible connection to the Varese region. The article also mentions a "hammer" found in Robbio, which is suggested to mark the beginning of the Bronze Age locally, indicating a continued use of Stone Age tools alongside advancements in metalworking.

Book Review: "Robbio e la sua Storia" A review of the book "Robbio e la sua Storia" by Ermanno Gardinali is presented. The book, published by the Civic Library of Robbio, covers the history of the town from the Gallo-Roman period to the 19th century. The author emphasizes the importance of basing historical research on concrete facts, avoiding fanciful interpretations. The review highlights the book's comprehensive approach, detailing events from ancient times to the 19th century, including disputes over the castle of Robbio and the impact of foreign dominations. The book is described as a detailed account of the town's history, presented as a narrative of everyday life.

Other Mentions The issue also includes a brief mention of "Domina," another popular Turin-based magazine, and an advertisement for "GIACÒ" Bottiglieria, a wine and liquor store in Turin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to focus on historical and cultural topics, with a particular interest in local history, archaeology, and the evolution of popular media like children's magazines and comics. The editorial stance, as reflected in the book review and the article on the gnomon, emphasizes factual accuracy and the preservation of historical and cultural heritage. There is a clear encouragement for reader participation and collaboration, as seen in the "Spunto di Ricerca" initiative.

La Gerla is a magazine presenting a variety of news and articles, with a focus on the unusual, local history, folklore, and esoteric subjects. This issue, identified by the number 20, features a cover illustration of a fern and a small box, with the title 'La Gerla' and 'notizie varie dal Piemonte' (various news from Piedmont) by Luciana Monticone.

Articles and Features

The Legend of the Fern

The issue begins with an article detailing the legend of the fern. Despite being a common plant, few know its folklore. It is mentioned that ferns do not flower, but a German saga claims that on the night of San Giovanni (June 24th), a magical spell causes them to bloom with a brilliant red flower. However, anyone who passes by these magical flowers without collecting the seed is doomed to be lost forever, even in familiar places. While this tradition is German, a similar tale is found in the Biella region of Piedmont, where a young man from Netro got lost on San Giovanni's night near the Madonna di Bondasco church. The legend doesn't explicitly mention ferns, but it's implied his fate was sealed by not observing the 'fern rite'. He was found disoriented and died shortly after. Another local legend in Netro attributes this to a jealous 'masca' (witch) enacting a curse.

The article also touches upon the magical properties of fern roots, described as an effective remedy against bad weather and livestock diseases, and as a talisman for wealth. More significantly, the root is said to grant invisibility to those who possess it, requiring collection on Christmas night and manipulation with candle light and incantations. A legend from the Susa Valley suggests that if a local can collect the legendary fern flowers on San Giovanni's night, they can become invisible at will.

Archaeological Discoveries

Professor Silvio Pons from the University of Genoa discovered two large rock sculptures in the upper Chisone Valley, dating back approximately 8,000 years. These sculptures, on a large monolith, depict hunting scenes and animal domestication. The 'Centro preistorico ligure' has also mapped the ancient city of Roccia Clapie, whose dwellings were carved into natural caves and rock crevices, oriented towards the southeast for protection. The inhabitants cultivated land and raised livestock. A menhir on an elevated part of the site served as a signal, and stone enclosures were used for domesticated animals. Roccia Clapie was strategically located with five access routes and good water sources. The sculptures suggest a high level of intellectual evolution among their creators. The article also notes that current place names in the area might derive from prehistoric terms, and suggests connections with other similar findings in the Cottian Alps, indicating potential contact between populations of different valleys.

Another archaeological note reports on a carved marble block found during the construction of a chapel in Foresto, a fraction of Bussoleno. This block features sculptures of fountains and marine waves and is believed by Monsignor Savi of Susa, an archaeology scholar, to be part of a Roman altar possibly dedicated to the goddess Matrona.

The Museo Archeologico S.Orso in Aosta is set to be saved from ruin by being transferred to the Challant barracks, formerly the Visitazione convent. Initially, only the offices will be moved to ensure healthy working environments, followed by the museum's collection. The ethnographic material currently in storage will also be relocated after the renovation.

Investigations into the Rocca di Cavour

Pier Giorgio Dana Borga reports on recent investigations into the Rocca di Cavour, focusing on the alleged existence of a gallery that supposedly connects the summit of the Rocca to the Torre di S. Grato and the church of Villar Bagnolo, possibly extending towards Montoso. Photographs of the area and the gallery entrance were taken, and interviews were conducted with local farmers, municipal employees, mayors, priests, and history enthusiasts. The documentation, including black and white photos, will be sent soon. The article also references a curious story about a deep underground gallery in France, near Cannes, which supposedly connected an inhabited island to a mainland castle. This information suggests that previous archaeological excavations near Torre di S.Grato, which only reached eight meters deep, might not have been sufficient, as a nearby stream could have influenced the gallery's depth and location.

Experiences of a Turin Exorcist

Bianca Ferrari interviews Giuseppina Greca, a self-proclaimed exorcist from Turin who claims to remove 'fatture' (curses) related to death and love. Greca recounts several cases:

1. A man cursed by his wife, who wanted him to earn more money. After serving time in prison for theft, he returned home and began to waste away. Greca helped him find a new job and suspected his wife was slowly poisoning him, which he confirmed after eating a poisoned egg. After an exorcism, he vomited a 'fattura' represented by a whole egg yolk, and recovered.
2. A woman suffering from an undiagnosable illness, believed to be caused by a curse from relatives seeking revenge. Greca found a partially melted wax effigy of a man and woman, with a pin in the effigy's legs and a heart in the other, hidden in a chimney. This object was believed to be the source of the curse. After its destruction, the woman regained her health.
3. A young woman experiencing severe malaise and depression due to her husband's growing distance. Greca found a spell consisting of white wax candles molded into human figures, with a pin in one and a heart in the other, buried in a large potted plant. This spell was intended to destroy the wife and win the husband's affection. After its destruction, the woman regained her love and health.
4. A woman who was cursed to death by the family of her fiancé, who feared losing an inheritance. She was served a piece of 'baptized' rabbit, which led to her deterioration. After several exorcism sessions, she was still unwell. In the eighth session, Greca used a handkerchief to collect bodily fluids, tied its corners, and burned it in a terracotta bowl with herbs, incense, and alcohol. A piece of the handkerchief remained unburnt, shaped like a rabbit, and the woman then vomited a piece of cooked rabbit, the 'fattura'. She fully recovered and became Greca's close friend.

Greca notes that 'black magic' rituals are performed in Turin, suggesting an 'occult Turin' parallel to its industrial and intellectual side, with 'assassin-sorcerers' available for hire.

'Collezione Clypeus' Offer

An advertisement offers the complete 'Collezione Clypeus', including issues from January 1964 to issue 49, plus supplements, for 90,000 lire. It highlights contributions from notable writers in the field of the unusual.

Colloquio: A Reader's Critique and Editorial Response

A letter from Gastone Lusetti of Correggio criticizes 'Clypeus Piemonte Insolito' for focusing on 'nonsense' like UFOs, witches, and goblins, instead of real-world problems. The editorial response acknowledges this criticism, stating that the staff members have regular jobs and engage in these pursuits as a hobby. They argue that their research, though modest, is of growing interest globally and that they are not out of touch with reality. The response concludes by suggesting that if the reader is not interested, he can discard the magazine.

Literature Review: 'PANE DAI CHERUBINI'

Gianni V. Settimo reviews the book "PANE DAI CHERUBINI" by 'Taurinense 1532', published by Edizioni Mediterranee. The book explores the harmonies between magic, alchemy, and esoteric religions from various cultures (Egyptian, Christian, Indo-Tibetan, Jewish, Islamic). The author's central thesis is that 'Magic + Alchemy + Esoteric Religions = ONE Truth', implying a common source for these traditions. Settimo praises the book's simple style and its ability to convey a sense of encountering eternal truths, referencing figures like Hermes Trismegistus and Indo-Tibetan mysteries.

Local History: Robbio and its History

This section, a continuation and conclusion, discusses archaeological findings in the Lomellina region, including flint tools, iron age objects, bronze brooches, and bronze axes. It mentions a map of geographical-archaeological settlements but defers to the 'Bollettino Storico della Provincia di Novara' for details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of folklore, local legends, the paranormal, esoteric practices, and archaeological discoveries, particularly within the Piedmont region of Italy. The editorial stance, as seen in the response to Gastone Lusetti, defends the magazine's focus on the 'unusual' as a legitimate hobby and area of interest, acknowledging its growing global appeal. While the magazine publishes articles on topics like exorcism and black magic, the editorial note on the exorcist interview clarifies that the staff does not personally believe in such phenomena but reports them for journalistic reasons, recognizing that many people do believe and practice them.

Title: QUI UFO... QUI UFO... QUI UFO...
Issue Date: December 22, 1977
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of QUI UFO... QUI UFO... QUI UFO... focuses on recent sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena in Italy, primarily in late 1977. It presents multiple witness accounts and newspaper clippings to document these events.

Un "disco volante" nel cielo di Nizza?

This section details a sighting near Nizza Monferrato on a Sunday evening. Numerous people observed a "fireball" that appeared from the east and disappeared towards the hills of Incisa Scapaccino. Industrialist Clemente Guasti, who witnessed the event, described it as a "luminous sphere" traveling at high speed but at a much lower altitude than aircraft. He speculated it might have been a meteor that disintegrated behind the hills. The article notes that such phenomena often lead to discussions about flying saucers, referencing a past conference on the subject held at the "Circolo culturale Sociale" which included participants from the "Centro ricerche per dischi volanti di Milano."

UN UFO A BORGOSESIA!

This report, sourced from "Gazzetta del popolo" (cronaca vercellese) dated September 14, 1977, describes an event in Borgosesia. Hundreds of people reportedly saw an object in the sky around 11 PM, at a low altitude, emitting a beam of whitish light. The object stopped for a few minutes near Via Vittorio Veneto before moving towards the hills separating Valsasia from the Lake Orta area. Observers noted it was more historical than oval in shape, with a grid-like pattern on one side and an "eye" from which the intense light emanated. Binoculars did not reveal any occupants.

OGGETTO MISTERIOSO IN CIELO SOPRA SAN MAURO

This is the main cover story, featuring a quote from Angelo Cusimano, a 43-year-old journalist for "Stampa," who claims to have had a profound experience at 4 AM on the road between San Mauro and Gascino, near Rivodora. Cusimano was delivering newspapers when he noticed a blinding light on the ground. Looking up, he saw a luminous object, described as "intensely bright" and about the size of a truck wheel, hovering silently about twenty to thirty meters above him. He watched it for about 30 seconds before it moved rapidly towards San Mauro and disappeared. He then returned to his delivery van and saw the object reappear in the same spot, silently. He was frozen in place, unable to react. The object then moved again, this time towards Gascino, disappearing behind a hill. Cusimano described the object as initially round, then appearing somewhat oval. It returned once more, stopped for a few seconds, and then ascended above him, disappearing over the hill. He waited for five minutes before returning to his newspaper delivery, his legs trembling. The article notes that the area is illuminated by mercury vapor lamps.

Newspaper Clippings

The issue includes two clippings:

• Gazzetta del popolo (cronaca astigiana), August 23, 1977: This clipping likely relates to a sighting or discussion of UFOs in the Asti region.
• Stampa Sera, December 22, 1977: This clipping is dated the same day as the issue's cover date and likely contains the report by Angelo Cusimano.

Back Cover Information

The back cover features the "CLYPEUS" logo and contact information, including a post office box in Turin. It also includes a statement in multiple languages (Italian, Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, German) indicating that the publication welcomes exchanges with similar publications.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the reporting of unidentified aerial phenomena, specifically UFOs and potential meteors. The magazine appears to present witness accounts and newspaper reports without explicit endorsement or skepticism, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. The editorial stance seems to be one of documenting and disseminating information about such sightings within the UFO community, as suggested by the title and the focus on specific incidents. The inclusion of multiple reports from different locations and dates suggests an ongoing interest in tracking these phenomena across Italy.