Finnish UFOlogical Bulletin - 1993 Number 2

Magazine Overview

This issue of the FINNISH UFOLOGICAL BULLETIN, identified as No. 2/93, is edited by Kalevi Mikkonen and published from Rovaniemi, Finland. The primary focus of this issue is an exploration of "The Mystery of the Sampo," a central element of the Finnish-Karelian national epic, the Kalevala.

The Mystery of the Sampo

The article begins by quoting a passage from the Kalevala concerning the forging of the Sampo by the smith Ilmarinen. It then delves into the origins of the Kalevala, describing it as a rich oral tradition with prehistoric roots, assembled by Elias Lönnrot in the mid-19th century. While acknowledging its value as a historical source, the author cautions that it is a compilation of oral traditions rather than a direct historical document.

The central question posed is "What was the Sampo?" The text from the epic describes it as a magical mill with three sides: one for grinding corn, one for salt, and one for money. It also mentions a "bright-lid" and its ability to produce wealth. The Sampo was created by Ilmarinen and deposited in Louhi's Pohjola.

The article outlines several widely accepted identification marks of the Sampo:
1. It produced wealth.
2. It was called "kirjokansi" (bright-lid, brightly-coloured cover), which can also mean heaven.
3. It was forged or created and later carried into a boat, where it broke.
4. It had cosmic connections.
5. It had a connection to the sea.
6. It meant a statue or a mill whose cover revolved or ground and had three sides.

Beyond these, more controversial suggestions include the Sampo having roots, being a chest, a frog, the sun, the vault of heaven, or the axis mundi.

Scholarly interpretations are divided into three categories: cosmological, historical, and abstractive. The prevailing view is that the Sampo was a fertility symbol, but the explanation of it being a mill is strengthened by its similarity to the Scandinavian story of Grotti.

Connection to the Manna-Machine and Baphomet

A significant portion of the article explores a potential connection between the Sampo and the "manna-machine" concept, as described by George Sassoon and Rodney Dale, and its links to the Baphomet-cult of the Templars and the Grail-legend. The author suggests the Sampo could be a continuation or addition to this tradition. The Finnish name "sampo" is noted to be phonetically close to "Baphomet" or "sophia" (wisdom), a name associated with the manna-machine. Etymological roots of "sampo" are also explored, suggesting meanings like "wisdom," "mill," "statue," or "stone column."

Professor Matti Klinge offers a different perspective, viewing the Sampo-poems as part of medieval and Central European ideas that entered Finnish mythology via the Baltic countries. He suggests the Sampo might be a statue similar to the German Rolandssäule. However, the author finds it possible that the Sampo could also symbolize Baphomet, noting interesting links between these mystical objects.

The article speculates on how this medieval tradition might have reached Finnish mythology, proposing that Templars escaping the dissolution of their order in 1312 could have spread their traditions to Finland and Karelia through the Teutonic Order. The Baltic influence, particularly the "daina" metre resembling the Kalevala metre, is highlighted as evidence.

Epilogue and Implications

The epilogue recounts the Sampo's destruction, sinking into the sea and breaking into pieces. The hero Väinämöinen attempts to collect these fragments. The article then ponders the implications if the Sampo-poems are indeed part of the manna-machine-Grail tradition. It references the Sampo sinking into the sea and its pieces washing ashore, suggesting it could not have been entirely made of wood. The author draws a parallel to the Templars transporting their valuables, possibly Baphomet, to places like La Rochelle, and speculates that the Sampo (or manna-machine) might be hidden in secret places important to the Templars, Freemasons, or Rosicrucians.

RIAP: Research Institute on Anomalous Phenomena

The latter part of the bulletin shifts focus to the Research Institute on Anomalous Phenomena (RIAP), established in 1992 by the VERTICAL Aerospace Company. RIAP conducts scientific studies in bioastronomy and non-classical SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), adhering to scientific methods and collaborating with Russian scientific bodies.

Bioastronomy is defined as the search for life and intelligence in the Universe, integrating astrophysics and cosmology. SETI, a long-standing scientific problem, has seen significant advancements with sophisticated radio astronomical equipment in the last 30 years.

RIAP proposes supplementing the search for interstellar signals with the search for alien artifacts in the Solar System, particularly on the Moon, due to its long history and atmosphere-free nature. The Institute is carrying out the program "Search for Alien Artifacts on the Moon" (SAAM), which includes searching for reflections from flat surfaces of hypothetical ET objects and other artificial extraterrestrial phenomena.

RIAP's investigations utilize photographs from various lunar missions (Apollo, Lunar Orbiter, Luna, Zond) and data from a network of Lunar Transient Phenomena (LTP) observers. The Institute's staff comprises RIAP Fellows and Contributing Fellows, specialists in physics, astronomy, history, and psychology.

The Scientific Council and Advisory Board include notable Russian and Ukrainian specialists in the SETI field. RIAP is launching two periodicals: "Anomalistics and Astronomy" (in Russian) and "RIAP Bulletin" (in English), along with "RIAP Proceedings."

The Institute is funded by subsidies from VERTICAL, research payments, grants, and donations. It appeals to the international bioastronomical community for financial donations to support its work. Contacts and collaboration are also sought.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of ancient myths and their potential connections to modern phenomena, particularly UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence. The bulletin bridges the gap between folklore, mythology, and scientific inquiry, suggesting that ancient legends might hold clues to unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, linking historical artifacts and myths to contemporary theories about alien visitation and advanced technologies. The inclusion of RIAP's work indicates a strong interest in scientific approaches to the study of anomalous phenomena and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.