PARAPSYCHOLOGY ABSTRACTS INTERNATIONAL

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• Publication Date: December 1, 1989
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those healers who act by "laying of hands" He wrote two
hooks, one in cooperation with the parapsychologist G. Ian-
nuzzo, and numerous papers on the same subject, gathering
an extensive collection of historical cases. After having
dealt with sonic problems connected with the peculiar situa-
tion of Italian healers (who maintain their position in spite
of important medical and surgical progress and their illegal
situation), the author discusses three topics: new historical.
cases, laboratory results, and the placebo effect.
Regarding the first he refers to the results of some
cases of Muscular Progressive Distrophia. Some young
patients have improved both during and after pranotherapy.
After (from two to six months) patients got worse again:
they then repeated the treatment and got better. They are
like a battery that charges and discharges. If we are able
to get confirmation about such a phenomenon, how can it
be explained by the placebo effect?
The second subject dealt with is Kirlian photography.
In Italy a well organized and diffused Center issues a
diploma to healers (orpresumed healers) certifying that a
fluid (bioplasma) emanates from their hands as attested by
Kirlian photography. It is certainly proved that Kirlian
photography depends on a well-known physical
phenomenon, but in Italy four Lower Court judges have
acquitted four healers from the indictment of the illegal
practice of medicine. Their sentence was founded on the
results of Kirlian photography. It is advisable that major
parapsychological organizations (like the P.A.) suggest that
their members do not participate in any meeting, or any-
thing else that this Center might promote.
The third subject concerns the placebo effect (P.E.),
perhaps the most disturbing and puzzling problem for the
scientifically oriented mind of a physician when he is
facing the interpretation of pranotherapy results. Papers on
this subject agree that 35% of the benefits of all medical
treatments (chemical, physical, or surgical) may be referred
to P.E! P.E. apparently is not a mere suggestion effect,
unless we acknowledge that suggestion can give rise to ex-
traordinary biological reactions (on enzymes, on chemical
blood components, on hormones, and so on). Furthermore,
well mastered researches in this field (P.E.) are necessary.
After 35 years of clinical observation and controls of a
good number of healers' results, the author is at present
very cautious on the possibility of the presence of PK in
this matter. The same position is maintained on the pos-
sibility that something "flows" or emanates from the
healer's body. He is waiting for clinically controlled ex-
periments (by blind and double-blind methods) to be
carried out only in Clinical University Institutes.
DA/R.A.W.
03621. Rosa, Rodolfo. Reflections on the time-bound
universe. Quaderni di Parapsicologia, 1986, 17(1), 90-100.
3 graphs; 1 illus; 8 refs
The aim of this lecture is to introduce to the non-
specialist the Erhenfest urn model exploited by Cocke to
illustrate an oscillating universe model in which there are
two boundary conditions: one in the past (big-bang) and
one in the future (big-crunch). A simple Monte Carlo com-
puter code has been set up in order to simulate the statisti-
cal behavior of the system consisting of two urns and 36
balls numbered from 1 to 36. One starts with 27 balls in
the left-hand urn and 9 in the right-hand one. A random
number selects a ball which is moved from the system and
is defined as delta n = n sub s (number of balls in the
left-hand urn)--n sub e (equilibrium value). Two typical
histories and the average of over hundreds of runs is
reported. The code saves only those histories which satisfy
the final boundary condition. Two such allowed histories
vu,. /, tvo. c tpccember 1989
and the average of 14 of them are reported. It must be
emphasized that in double-ended statistics, even in the ex-
panding phase of the universe, the course of events can he
conditioned by the future boundary conditions. In this
sense we speak of causality violation or "pre-effect": the
future can influence the past. In such a context, time-
symmetric thermodynamics (i.e., a thermodynamics with
boundary conditions on both the past and the future) put
forward by J.A. Donald and B. Martin some years ago is
referred to. According to these authors, a past directed
neg-entropy associated with boundary conditions in the fu-
ture is the means through which living organisms can in-
fluence the past. In an analogous way they utilize the
usual neg-entropy to change the future states of the
universe. - DA/R.A.W.
03622. Bernardi, Sergio. The cradle of the paranormal.
Quaderni di Parapsicologia, 1986, 17(1), 101-110. 23 refs
People have wondered about the psychological origins
of paranormal phenomena. There has been some research
in what has been defined by Jan Ehrenwald, a famous
researcher now in New York, as the cradle of the paranor-
mal. More in-depth study has been made in this field.
Attention was at first given to the mother/suckling relation-
ship and to its paranormal components. This led to the
intrauterine mother/fetus relationship and research was con-
ducted at this level. This problem was brought up in the
1930's by the famous psychoanalyst Sadger, who said: "The
child knows from the uterine stage whether the mother
loves him or hates him." The Argentinian psychoanalyst
Arnaldo Raskovski discussed many aspects of this topic.
Recently, Mauro Mancia, a neuropsychologist and
psychoanalyst, shed more light on the subject. A book by
Otto Rank, The Trauma of Birth, is an in-depth study of
the psychic life of the 'unborn child. This topic has also
been researched by others such as Sandor Ferenzi, Georg
Groddek, and Wilhelm Steckel. The existence of an
oneiric life and therefore psychic life in the fetal stage
during the last months of pregnancy and after the first
months of birth has been demonstrated by experiments
using REM and EEG. Undoubtedly, these remarks are of
great importance in the evolution of research in this area,
which is so significant for a better knowledge of the
modalities and structures of the deep levels of human per-
sonalities. A distinguishing criterion is suggested about the
interpretations that various scholars have given to the con-
cept of "psychic regression" to primary stages in connection
with emerging paranormal phenomena. - DA/R.A.W.
03623. Iannuzzo, Giovanni. Psychiatry and spiritism:
Italian psychiatry of the early 20th century and
psychic research. Quaderni di Parapsicologia, 1986,
17(1), 111-125. 32 refs
The author discusses the relationship between
psychiatry and psychical research at the beginning of the
20th century. He deals mainly with two personages:
Cesare Lombroso and Enrico Morselli, leaders of Italian
psychiatry, both with a great interest in psychical research,
but along different lines. In fact, Lombroso became a fol-
lower of spiritistic doctrine after some mediumistic ex-
periences; Morselli retained a sufficiently severe and anti-
spiritistic scientific behavior. They were not the only
physicians approaching spiritism: other lesser known scien-
tists (Samona, Luciani, Bianchi) attended to this subject,
demonstrating that the interest in these phenomena was
very deep. The most important scientific journals of that
period dealt with this argument. This was the golden age
of psychical research in Italy, but it lasted only a few
years and soon our country lost its supremacy. The author
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also discusses the historical and philosophical premises of
psychiatric interest in psychical research. Such interest
arose from a sound positivism whose method allowed a
free and wider view of natural phenomena. - DA/R.A.W.
03624. Servadio, Emilio. Psychic regression and birth-
connected experiences. Quaderni di Parapsicologia, 1986,
17(1), 126-135.
It now can safely be admitted that the fetus is en-
dowed with mental life, and that in the prenatal phase
many instances of ESP can occur between mother and
child. The author recalls the fact that between the
parents--especially the mother-and the little child, ESP
phenomena have been ascertained and described many
times. Then he points out that by means of various tech-
niques, it is possible to bring about age regressions in
adult subjects. The latter can go through infantile and
prenatal experiences. For example, it is possible for a hyp-
notized subject to talk, to draw, and to behave in general
as if he were 2, 3, or a few more years of age. The cor-
respondence with aspects and peculiarities of the previous
ages is sometimes absolutely striking.
Regressions to. even more precocious ages can be ob-
tained with the use of certain drugs, particularly LSD.
The author quotes at length the work of Dr. Stanislav
Grof, whose vast knowledge of the field is well known.
In fact, Grof has administered LSD innumerable times to
normal people, neurotics, and psychotics. In many cases,
Grof ascertained that his subjects revealed--through vivid
images and utterances--many occurrences belonging to their
prenatal phases. In some such cases, ESP phenomena have
undoubtedly been present.
In the last part of the paper, the author reports
about a case he treated with psychoanalytic technique
using LSD after some time as a help in the treatment.
Under LSD, the subject expressed a long series of impres-
sions and feelings, all related to his prenatal experiences.
Some of these impressions he later described in poetry.
The author has read two of the poems--one of them con-
nected with the birth of his first child. Finally, he
propounds a hypothesis he had already put forward in
some previous papers: That the ultimate origins of some
prenatal experiences perhaps could be situated in a
transphenomenal level of reality. - DA/R.A.W.
03625. Aiazzi, Pier Luigi. Psi communication: A
reality with two faces. Quaderni di Parapsicologia,
1986, 17(1), 136-144. 3 refs
In this paper we analyze some famous samples of
only partially successful experiments in which the ap-
pearance and disappearance of the psi faculty proves itself
directly related to the symbolic context of the evidence.
These examples include a famous experiment of E. Osty
with R. Schneider, a probable negative photograph of
thought realized with Sai Baba, and the description of
Kuda Bux and other firewalkers. With regard to the lat-
ter we have specifically considered the remarkable attempts
of certain experimenters to repeat the feat while holding
hands with subjects possessing paranormal faculties. We
make some observations concerning how mime, gestures, or
even the logic according to which experiments are or-
ganized can be decisive in determining the presence or ab-
sence of psi. We relate this aspect to the fundamental
structure of communication, and in particular to the double
aspect that each message has a process of communication.
Furthermore, we illustrate several comparative considera-
tions with regard to the figure/background dualism (Gestalt
theory) implicit in the simplest form of communication,
that is, sensorial communication, with regard to the
Vol. 7, No. 2 December 1989
signifying/signified duality, as well as to the fonic-
emission/acoustic-reception relationship, connected with the
spoken form, and also with the wave/corpuscle duality in
N. Bohr's complementaristic conception of physics. In
parapsychology we recognize the effect of the same dualis-
tic structure in the complementary aspect of languages,
values, and patterns of behavior that exist between psi-
production and the scientific observation of the same: the
eternal oscillation between the two alternative structures of
thought--doubt and faith, omnipotence and limit, empathy
and logical objectivity.
Taking into account all of these aspects that deal
with the symbolic structure of paranormal experience, we
attribute an importance to the "message"-more suitable
than the traditional conception of "phenomenon"--
specifically to the nature of the message present in every
psi event. In the light of a last example-the famous sit-
tings of W. Crookes with F. Cook-we consider very sig-
nificant from a symbolical point of view where we discuss
the possibility of a more suitable experimental approach to
resolve the inner duality of parapsychology. - DA/R.A.W.
03626. Cozzi, Giorgio. Creativity in parapsychology:
Preliminary observations and reflections. Quaderni di
Parapsicologia, 1986, 17(1), 145-164. 21 figs
Dr. Cozzi discusses the subject of creativeness in
parapsychology, first making some preliminary statements
connected with the two different ways of thinking: verti-
cal (the left brain's logical rational functions) and lateral
(the right brain's typical imaginative-creative functions).
He presents the practical evidence for the different types
of thinking by showing classical patterns of perceptivity
problems, which are intended to displace logical functions,
usually moving in an analytic and sequential context, not
being able to come to a solution, if not for the interven-
tion of creative functions, that, because of their own na-
ture, are synthetic, simultaneous, and not bound by strict
schemes of cultural reference.
The audience was given evidence of the different
ways of thinking and observing games and tricks of percep-
tion, which for their comprehension and solution require
the skill of looking at things from different points of view,
and above all, the skill of going over those virtual lines,
which culturally, in our rational minds, connect each angle
of the observed reality. Since that is so, it becomes neces-
sary to revise the attitude of research of paranormal
phenomena.
Moreover, even the need of revising experimental
methodologies, knowing that they have to consider almost
certain right-brain action (lateral thought) while expressing
ESP and the difficult submission of sensitive subjects to
strict controls, which may force their own vertical thought.
The Ganzfeld technique, for instance, could probably
be improved by simply (de) conditioning the perception dis-
plays concerning vertical thought.
A part of the numberless consequences of an ap-
proach methodologically stated according to the orientation,
confirmed by the last 20 years of studies of brains, there
are stimulating theories attributing human evolution to the
division of the two cerebral hemispheres and their own
proper specialization. The author quotes Jaynes' bicameral
theory, which is intended to explain divinity's matrix with
man's inner voices at that time when the two hemispheres
were actually separated, for what concerns their functions
(this event has been tested by recent studies on
schizophrenic subjects with their brain surgically split and.
according to him, proved by historical evidence). Accord-
ing to Jaynes, environmental conditions favored the integra-
tion of the two hemispheres and also the left hemisphere's
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02460. Luttenberger, Franz. Friedrich Zollner,
s iritualism, and four-dimensional space. Zeitschrift
f r Parapsychologie and Grenzgebiete der Psychologie,
1977, 19(4), 195-214. 19 refs
In 1877-1878, the astrophysicist Friedrich Zollner un-
dertook a scientifically motivated investigation of
spiritualistic phenomena with the American medium Henry
Slade. At a visit in Great Britain in 1875 he had met
Crookes and other spiritualists and had become acquainted
with such manifestations. With his experiments he in-
tended to prove a rather speculative theory of a four-
dimensional space which had developed out of his con-
siderations about the impossibility of bringing to congruity
symmetric bodies in our concrete space, an idea which can
be traced back to Kant. Zollner made efforts to design ex-
periments with enduring results which were caused une-
quivocally paranormally-in his terms four-dimensional--
efforts; among others we find the famous knot-test. His
reports contain descriptions of about fifty manifestations.
In his opinion the proper cause of the phenomena were
invisible intelligent four-dimensional entities. Zollner's
theory of space and his interpretations indicate his rather
mechanical view of life, and show--against his intentions--a
strong influence from scientific naturalism. Eventually an
effort is made to outline some pre-conditions for such in-
vestigations at these times by a comparison between Ger-
many and Great Britain. - DA/G.H.
02461. Renninger, Mauritius. An actually existent
fourth dimension of space as a model for the explana-
tion of psychokinetic phenomena? Zeitschrift fur
Parapsychologie and Grenzgebiete der Psychologie, 1977,
19(4), 215-226. 2 figs; 10 refs
By model considerations between spaces of dimensions
differing by unity the author tries to demonstrate that the
hypothesis of an actually existent fourth dimension of
space-as formulated just a hundred years ago by the Ger-
man astrophysicist Friedrich Zollner--is able to bring most
of the psychokinetic phenomena nearer to a physical un-
derstanding than any other initial point. - DA
ITALIAN LANGUAGE
(Editor: Paola Giovetti)
LUCE E OMBRA
02462. Ludwiger, Jllobrand von. Personally verified
apport phenomena. Luce e Ombra, 1985 (Jul/Sep), 85(3),
173-180. 11 refs
Account of the physical medium Jons Dave, who was
particularly endowed with the ability to produce apport
phenomena. As with some other mediums, Dave's paranor-
mal capacities developed after an accident during the war:
he was seriously wounded, with the destruction of hypo-
physis. Von Ludwiger relates some very specific and inter-
esting personal experiences with Dave and describes his
clairvoyance capacities. This material is from his still un-
published book. Today Dave does not work as a medium;
he is a painter and healer. - DA
02463. Marabini, Enrico. Man's being between deter-
minism and free-will. Luce e Ombra, 1985 (Jul/Sep),
85(3), 181-188. 10 refs
Discussion of determinism and free will. Marabini
considers the modern scientific trends of biology, neuroen-
docrinology, and of some currents of academic psychology,
and points out that all these conceptions can describe a
part -- and only a part - of human reality. In fact, when
man considers himself as a living being in the matrix of
the universe, he realized the significant and conscious
reality of his existence. Humans understand that both
these views are real, even if in order to be communicated
they need different methods.
In particular states of consciousness, humans can ac-
tivate his symbolic and intuitive functions, expand into ir-
rational (extrarational), realms and enter into realities com-
pletely different from the biophysical and rational world.
A human being is subject to biophysical and biopsy-
chical laws, and in this sense his life is determined. But in
the "horizontal" position where causes and effects are at
the same level, he can catch a glimpse of a "vertical"
dimension. Participating in the harmony of universe, free
from materiality, man can reach the real freedom of spirit.
- DA
02464. Ravaldini, Silvio. On mediumship. Luce e
Ombra, 1985 (Jul/Sep), 85(3), 189-196.
In this article the author points out the circumstances
which, in the field of mediumship make the scientific con-
trol of the medium and his or her phenomena difficult and
sometimes impossible. He, reviews some materialization
phenomena and cases of direct voice in which he was
present, cites the hypothesis of "disintegrated personalities"
and intends to deal on another occasion with this subject,
in order to see if an alternative hypothesis could explain
phenomena of an apparently spiritistic nature. - DA
02465. Morrone, Cobaltina. On the frontier of para-
psychology. Luce e Ombra, 1985 (Jul/Sep), 85(3), 197-201.
The author identifies "border-parapsychology" with a
particular aspect of parapsychology that deals with
humanity in toto and human destiny, trying to face the
intriguing and age-old problem of survival through the
quantitative and qualitative analysis of the full range of
paranormal phenomena - those that are rationally ex-
plainable by positivistic hypotheses, and those that unfor-
tunately are nearly always ignored, which do not have any
logically and rationally acceptable justification and seem to
support the hypothesis of survival after death. In par-
ticular he points out mediumistic phenomena at a high
level, both physical and intellectual, and recalls some per-
sonal experiences. - DA
02466. Iannuzzo, Giovanni. History and the myths of
parapsychology. Luce e Ombra, 1985 (Jul/Sep), 85(3),
202-219. 37 refs
The author analyzes some problems in the history of
parapsychology, such as the origins of spiritualism, the
foundation of psychical research, and the advancement of
experimental parapsychology. He suggests that many of
the current opinions - expressed by a number of students
- about the history of parapsychology are misrepresenta-
tions. There exists a "mythology" of the history of para-
psychology that must be modified and corrected. There-
fore, he emphasizes the importance of historical researches
in the field of parapsychology. - DA
METAPSICHICA RIVISTA ITALIANA
DI PARAPSICOLOGIA
02467. Assennato, Pericle. Our research (and our
soul). Metapsichica Rivista Italiana di Parapsicologia,
1971 (Jul/Dec), 26(314), 101-103.
The author summarizes the principal trends in the
field of parapsychological research. He reminds us that in
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03055. Costa, Alfonso. About the visions of dying per-
sons and survival. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep), 87(3),
260-270. 15 refs
The attention recently addressed to near-death ex-
periences has confined to the background a phenomenon to
which much more attention was paid in the past: that of
visions of dying persons. Reconsidering once again two
books which can be considered as classics of this matter,
the author re-opens a discussion about this specific
phenomenon. He classifies deathbed visions in four classes:
(1) visions of dead people whose death was known to the
dying person; (2) visions of dead people whose death was
unknown to the dying persons but not to the present ones;
(3) visions of dead people whose death was unknown both
to the dying persons and to the present ones; (4) collective
visions shared by both the dying person and the one who
is looking after him or her. In considering the typical
characteristics of these classes and in trying to explain the
facts, both naturalistic and spiritistic hypotheses are dis-
cussed. Finally, the possibility is suggested that sometimes
alien "beings" able to induce psychic experiences are truly
present. - DA
03056. lannuzzo, Giovanni. The fifth parapsychologi-
cal meeting in Bologna. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep),
87(3), 271-275.
On May 9-10, 1987, the Parapsychological Study
Center--CSP-held its fifth meeting in Bologna. The author
presents a critical synthesis of the works presented for the
occasion by the various researchers. The most important
was the debate held by the scholars belonging to the two
parapsychological movements: the positivists and the
spiritualists. - DA
03057. Simone, Giorgio di. Jacopo Comin: Evidence on
the "Entity A" case. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jut/Sep), 87(3),
276-281.
In this article, the author relates Jacopo Comin's
opinion about the "Entity A," in particular as concerns all
the data leading us to consider such an entity as most
likely independent from the medium and from people as-
sisting at the seance. In one of his letters Comin wrote:
"We are in the presence of a Teacher in the highest sense
of the word, who undertook the burden of an high
spiritual teaching for the few able to understand it." - DA
03058. Ravaldini, Silvio. The Riccardi case: A "drop-
in" communicator. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Oct/Dec), 87(4),
307-319. 2 figs; 7 refs
The author brings to our attention a case of spiritis-
tic identification. In fact, during a s6ance held in 1948 a
drop-in communicator told the sitters he was a priest who
died in Canton, Ohio in 1929. In telling his name the
communicator added he was shot dead by a woman inside
his church. Successively in 1949 and 1950, always as a
drop-in communicator, he confirmed what was previously
said but used different words. Researches made in
America by Dr. Stevenson's assistant proved the com-
municator told the truth, i.e., a priest having the same
name was shot dead in a church in the same year the
communicator told. The article goes on with a detailed
analysis, made by the author, about a possible explanation
of facts besides the spiritistic one: cryptomnesia,
psychometry, and so on. There is the very interesting ap-
pendix signed by Dr. M. Biondi in which the above story
is viewed from a more materialistic parapsychological point
of view. - DT(R.A.W.
Vol. 6, No. 2 December 1988
03059. Garzia, Plerangelo. Survival: Belief or
research? Luce a Ombra, 1987 (Oct/Dec), 87(4), 320-324.
Three hundred years ago, the Italian scientist and
man of letters Francesco Redi (1626-1698) exploded the
traditional doctrine about spontaneous generation. In the
same way, psychic researchers in the 20th .century are en-
gaged in exploding the traditional doctrine of conscience as
a brain chemical product. Psi phenomena, in their complex
whole, show conscience as able to much further extend it-
self in connection with those activities allowed by brain
activity. Furthermore, conscience could be preexistent to
the formation of the biological human organism and may
survive its disintegration.
The survival theme has always been the domain of
faith. For the first time in human history, thanks to
psychic research, the survival theme develops from objec-
tive facts and rational considerations. Even if, historically,
parapsychology can be considered as an "ibridum," form
came out from the meeting of religious need and the
scientific one. In fact, without this hotchpotch of belief
and research, parapsychology would have never been born.
Actually we absolutely need a certain part of faith to
have the possibility of demonstrating survival for sure
without feeling ashamed about it. For mutual admission
happens in every knowledge field. Without faith we can-
not go further-it being impossible to follow the glimpse of
initial purpose. Without continuous, ceaseless, tireless
research, we would already be dead. - DA
03060. Marabini, Enrico. Psi phenomena: Normal or
paranormal? Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Oct/Dec), 87(4), 325-
336. 14 refs; 1 table
By this report, the author confronts a basic theme in
order to obtain a refitting of the whole problem coming
out of the study of psi phenomena, starting from the con-
sideration that psi is an event resulting from an expression
of human behavior and considering people as anidtated sys-
tems. The author presents a "classifications" conception. He
explains what a psi phenomenon is and gives the basis of
what particular characteristics such that an event can be
considered and classified in this way. Next he discusses the
theme. Firstly, he talks about "normality" through its dif-
ferent meanings: a "fixed rule" and a "constitutive rule:'
This last is the only one which offers the possibility of ra-
tionally facing the "normality" argument (and respectively
the "abnormality" one) about certain types of events or
about certain well-defined human behavior situations.
Then he analyzes the word "paranormal" and all the
definitions deriving from it that are used to qualify para-
psychological discipline. Returning to human behavior, the
author points out that to every behavior state there is a
corresponding coherent conscious state. Although these are
different knowledge positions in themselves, every state is
a normal and natural event. Since "psi behavior" is an al-
tered state of consciousness, the information and realistic
contents involved are necessarily normal expressions of that
particular behavior state. Therefore, the uncommonness in
the phenomena does not mean they are not normal or
deviate or paranormal or supernormal. Rationally it can
be asserted that the laws subtending the psi phenomena
must be necessarily different from those orthodox science
considers and applies in studying other types of natural
events. The parapsychologists' work is to identify them.
Otherwise, in order to obtain concrete results, it is neces-
sary to the research to study the problem from a different
point of view. - DA
03061. Simone, Giorgio di. Metaphysical reality: The
spirit "program." Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Oct/Dec), 87(4),
16
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where a materialized entity writes or talks in a language
perfectly unknown to the medium holding the s6anee. To
underline this peculiar event, the author presents some
documented examples. The article starts with the
phenomenology of Laura Edmonds obtained during her
seances in New York. She was able to talk fluently in
languages she absolutely did not know, so that the
researchers considered the possibility of an outside posses-
sion. We read about Major Tudor Pole who was able to
talk and understand Persian, a language absolutely un-
known to him. The article describes Th6rese Neumann
who, during her mystic raptures, used to talk in Aramaic,
perfectly recognized as the real Christ language by the
scholars who had the possibility to assist her. "Nephentes"
materialized herself during the seances held by E.
D'Esperance. She was able to write a message in the
memo book of a researcher assisting in the seance. In the
end of the article we read of an ancient poem corrected
for a better comprehension by the "Confucius" entity. This
request came from Doctor Whymant during a sitting with
the medium Valiantine. The author ends the article by
saying that during his life he had the opportunity to at-
tend many xenoglossy manifestations where many languages
and dialects were spoken. He is sure that such languages
were unknown to present people, and for this reason he is
perfectly sure of the autonomy of the entities. - DA
03049. Ravaldini, Silvio. In memory of Gastone De
Boni. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep), 87(3), 205-208.
On the 23rd of September 1986 Gastone De Boni left
us, having finished his human experience. Only after
having put in order all the material he left us will we
fully understand the importance of his wide knowledge.
De Boni's aim was knowledge of the psyche-that defined
by Myers as "the subliminal self' and evidenced in his
book, Human Personality and Its Survival of Bodily
Death. We must not'forget that Myers was considered a
teacher by De Boni. In fact, he wrote: "In this psychic
microcosm we only can catch a glimpse of the power and
shining of psychic macrocosm." As a follower of Jung's
thought, he rationally examined the possibilities of the
psyche under its different appearances, and he once said
"Our position makes us fight in favor of an idea, which,
even if it grows and finishes under the control of pure
thought, must and will have an important place in human
life." - DA
03050. GIovetti, Paola. Near-death experiences in other
cultures. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep), 87(3), 209-213.
Dr. Giorgio Fonzo is a medical doctor who for many
years worked for the World Health Organization, being
constantly in touch with Moslem people. On several occa-
sions he had the opportunity to deal with persons who
were near death and to listen to their impressions. They
reported experiences that were very similar to the ones
reported by so many people of different religions, which
have been collected all over the world in recent years.
Dr. Fonzo's patients reported out-of-body experiences and
"tunnel experiences," visions of beautiful places and of a
marvelous light, encounters with dead friends or relatives,
etc. Those who are familiar with the specialized literature
will recognize in Dr. Fonzo's material some transcultural
elements of great interest, - R.A.W.
0305L lannuzzo, Giovanni. Studies of the history of
parapsychology in Italy from 1982 to 1986: A report
and a critical revision. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep),
87(3), 214-225. 46 refs; 1 table
After a detailed review of the most important Italian
parapsychology journals in order to better analyze the way
scientific research has been carried on from 1982-1987, the
author thinks more scholars are interested in pursuing
studies in this field. His research examines the quantita-
tive data at our disposal that specifies which research
areas are the most studied, and he suggests a way to im-
prove such researches qualitatively. - DA
03052. Ravaldinl, Silvio. Daniel Dunglas Home. Luce
e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep), 87(3), 226-244. 54 refs
It is not easy to discuss all the different phenomena
Daniel D. Home produced during his life, especially the
physical ones. Therefore the author has` put in evidence
only three of them: the telekinetic phenomena produced on
an accordion, those concerning levitations, and the fire-
immunity ones. The accordion was playing while the
medium was holding it on the side with no keys, but it
was playing as well as when anybody was touching it.
This peculiar phenomenon was fully described by trustwor-
thy people. In addition, a journalist for the Times was
not able to find any trick. Home's ability to hold burning
coals in his hands was confirmed by scholars such as Sir
William Crookes and Charles Richet. The author describes
Home's levitation in more detail, especially the one at
Ashley House where Home went out one window and
came back in another. In considering every side of the
problem, the author thinks these phenomena actually took
place. He proposes that the phenomena Home produced are
still happening nowadays, for example, those produced by
Roberto Setti, the Florence medium. - DA/R.A.W.
03053. Heim, Albert. Death from falls. (Trans. by
Paola Giovetti.) Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep), 87(3),
245-252.
This article was written , in 1892 by the Swiss
geologist, Dr. Albert Heim, and published in the Bulletin
of the Swiss Alpine Club. The author describes his per-
sonal experiences and those of several persons who nearly
died because of mountain falls. Their sensations and vi-
sions were wonderful: They felt no fear, no pain. Sensa-
tions of peace, well-being, and beautiful visions were com-'
mon. This is very similar to modern near-death ex-
periences, and in this sense Dr. Heim's analysis is really a
pioneer one and worthy of note. - DT/R.A.W.
03054. Giroldini, William. Parapsychology and
research. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep), 87(3), 253-259. 7
refs
The author critically debates the proposal many
researchers have advanced to reevaluate the study of spon-
taneous ESP-PK phenomena. Many believe that spon-
taneous phenomena are more repeatable and of a "superior
quality" than the results obtained in the laboratory using
the traditional experimental criteria derived from the nor-
mal sciences. Giroldini thinks that all the existing studies
of spontaneous cases overlook the problem of chance coin-
cidence. Because of this, it is not possible to know if the
collected events are mainly "true" or "spurious." Therefore,
the study of spontaneous events runs the risk of being
worthless because of this underlying ambiguity. The
author proposes that the study of spontaneous events must
be made following a method which makes it possible to
evaluate the probability of chance coincidences. The
phenomena that seem most suitable could be hallucinations
in connection with the death of a relative. If this
proposal is accepted by scholars, then it would be possible
to increase our knowledge of paranormal phenomena by
concentrating the study on the less polluted phenomena in-
stead of the spurious ones. - DA/R.A.W.
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help. Proceeding further is not allowed by the old rules
of a worn-out game but one must look to "new" and inter-
nally oriented approaches. In order to overcome the im-
passe it is necessary to realize that both infinite and
purest causality are laying traps for us, but we must claim
the centrality of a self-conscious ego which, interacting
with our self, suggests a coherent identity and then an in-
imitable oneness of the experience of evolution. This con-
ception is looming on the horizon, and "unitary" law and
both official science and all the other types of knowledge
are converging on it. Perhaps this last indication could
make us reach beyond the changing and temporary ap-
pearance of the phenomenological chaos to the harmonic
equilibrium of a universal conscience linked to absolute
and eternal values. But how shall we find the head of
the skein? In the end, a fairy tale will perhaps lead us
to a possible "key" able to give us answers to this last
question in order to allow us to reach a different "reading"
of everyday reality. - DA ,
03044. Giovetti, Paola. Inquiry on spontaneous
phenomena promoted by C.G. Jung. Luce e Ombra,
1987 (Apr/Jun), 87(2), 124-132.
In 1957, the Swiss paper Schweizerischer Beobachter
published several articles about paranormal phenomena and
asked the readers to send a description of their psi ex-
periences. One thousand two hundred letters, with the
description of 1,500 different experiences, were received;
the whole material was given to C.G. Jung, whose interest
in the subject was well known. Jung, who was at that
time 82 years old, examined all the letters and entrusted
them to his collaborator, Aniela Jaffd, asking her to make
a psychological analysis of the material. The detailed and
original analysis of Jaff6 was published in 1958 and had a
second, wider edition recently. The Italian edition ap-
peared in 1987. The historical reality of the single facts
has hardly any interest for Jung and Jaff6, because such
events as the ones reported by the readers of the paper
have been happening in every time and every place.
There is no reason therefore to doubt the single facts.
The interesting point is why people continue experiencing
the same extraordinary things, and the author's answer is
that such experiences-as psychical events--belong to the
universal human experience and are in a deep relationship
with the basic structure of our psyche. Paranormal
phenomena (dreams, visions, intuitions, apparitions of
ghosts, precognitions, etc.) show the independence of the
unconscious from time and space, and are symbols of the
archetype, which is unknowable in itself, and as Jaff6 says,
gives us the intuition of the unity of Everything existing. -
DA
03045. Biondi, Massimo. Man and today's parapsycho-
logy, II. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Apr/Jun), No. 2, 133-138.
In this second part [for the first part see PAT: 03033],
the author underlines the changes in the parapsychological
research field we have had in recent years. While the
scholars of the SPR directed their attention to some spon-
taneous psychic events, nowadays they prefer to work in
the laboratory on both perception and paranormal action.
The author does not think laboratory research is the best
solution to finding an explanation for parapsychology.
Furthermore, when we are talking about spontaneous
paranormal events it means that such events have been
recognized, studied, and qualified as paranormal, but all
this is not necessarily true. There are, in fact, still many
doubts about the existence of paranormality and on what a
paranormal event represents. It would be necessary, there-
fore, to discover the proper methodology for obtaining a
Vol. 6, No. 2 December 1988
better knowledge of these phenomena. At this point, the
author suggests as follows: (1) crossed knowledge of the
investigations made with different methods, (2) study of
the apparitions that happened in different ages and the
possible influence the culture of the time had on them, (3)
check on physical variations concerning the- involved place
or locality, (4) correlation with other psychosocial events
that happened at the same time, (5) study of the reactions
of the examined subjects and check up of variations due to
the different ages of the involved people. Perhaps all of
the above will lead us to completely refuse the paranor-
mality of events, but even if the results will help psychol-
ogy, medicine, or physics, we will have done something
useful - DA/R.A.W.
03046. Simone, Giorgio di. The apparent different
ideas in mediumistic 'messages" of a high level. Luce e
Ombra, 1987 (Apr/Jun), 87(2), 139-143. 1 ref
The author's response to the article by E. Bianco [see
PAT: 03042] published in this journal. Because for many
years he has received teachings from Entity "A," he
declares that the entities are compelled to adjust their
speech to the type of culture present in the assisting
group. Therefore, it can happen that a thought so impor-
tant for humankind as the one that deals with freedom can
be misinterpreted. The author tells how "A" has explained
that the freedom of the spirits does not exist if one ac-
cepts the reality of an omnipresent and omniscient God.
There does exist an inner freedom that permits the spirits
to become incarnate or not. In fact, we can call freedom,
too, the possibility of choosing or not the way of incarna-
tion or of undertaking the material experience in another
way. Self-consciousness is perfect at the same moment that
the spirit emanating from it is perfect and complete. His
knowledge from the beginning, then, is recognized and util-
ized by the spirit itself during the whole span of his exis-
tences. The article ends with a message from Dali-the
spiritual guide of the medium of Circle 77-saying. "to
make men understand the true sense of their existence ...
It is the duty of those who have reached this knowledge
to communicate it. Such a duty is the reason why we feel
compelled to communicate with you and that will make
you feel compelled to communicate with other people." -
DA
03047. Caratelli, Giulio. Speaking in tongues, or glos-
solalia. Luce a Ombra, 1987 (Apr/Jun), 87(2), 144-159. 23
refs
Apparently forgotten, but frequently noticed in dif-
ferent contexts that range from mediumistic seances to the
sittings of religious groups of the so-called "charismatics," is
speaking in tongues. In the ethnological context as well as
in the psychiatric one, the phenomenon of "talking lan-
guages" or glossolalia has rarely been thoroughly examined
by gathering evidence and evaluating its different
peculiarities. Often, glossolalia has not been sufficiently
distinguished from a similar manifestation called
"xenoglossy." In the present work, evidence is examined of
their different expressions, both in formalities and in situa-
tions. In addition, some psychological and language charac-
teristics that the two have in common are described. -
DA/R.A.W.
03048. Ravaidini, Silvio. Xenoglossy. Luce e Ombra,
1987 (Apr/Jun), 87(2), 160-176. 45 refs
In this article, which is wholly devoted to xenoglossy,
various phenomena in which a foreign language is involved
are indicated. They range from talking to writing
automatisms, from direct voice to direct writing, to cases
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respective countries of origin. Throughout the history of
theology (from the early Church to modern theory and
practice), one perspective uncovers decisive switches in the
diagnosis and therapy of possession, and it points out the
current state of the discussions on the question of posses-
sion in both Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Based
on the results of an investigation into attitudes toward the
devil, possession, and exorcism among Roman Catholic and
Protestant theologists, deficiencies become apparent from a
sociohistorical perspective that need to be clarified. The
medicopsychological perspective proceeds from the
symptoms of possession, and is informed with the state-of-
the-art in multiple personality research which in recent
years has met with growing scientific interest. In addition,
from this medicopsychological perspective, the symptoms
and the etiology of the dissociation of personality are
described, and the techniques, duration, and success of a
secularized therapy are presented and explained. - DA/G.H.
03031. Meissner, Beate. Original forms of psycho-
therapy: The method of Johann Joseph Gassner
(1727-1779), exorcist. Zeitschrift fUr Parapsychologie
and Grenzgebiete der Psychologie, 1985, 27(1-4), 181-208.
36 refs
From a psychological point of view, this contribution
describes the healing method used by the exorcist, Johann
Joseph Gassner, and Meissner attempts to analyze and in-
tegrate into historical contexts of medicine and
psychotherapy those effective therapeutic factors that are
at the roots of Gassner's method. It is pointed out that
Gassner's healing method combines heterosuggestive ele-
ments with those of autosuggestive exercises involving the
application of optical and haptic techniques. The im-
mediate effects of his method are comparable to the entire
scale of the effects that are observed in modern hypnosis.
There are distinct similarities between the specific for-
mulas given out by this exorcist and autogenic training as
developed by J.H. Schultz. There can be no doubt that in
a comparison of Gassnerian exorcism with currently ac-
cepted criteria for psychotherapeutic procedures, the former
can be shown to be an early form of modern
psychotherapy. - DA/G.H.
03032. Butsch, Maria. Historical and psychological
aspects of reports on miracles in the Middle Ages.
Zeitschrift flir Parapsychologie and Grenzgebiete der
Psychologie, 1985, 27(1-4), 209-233. 24 refs
This contribution outlines the historical context of
medieval miracle healing and then attempts to delineate
the psychological structures found in such reports. As
source material, books of miracles (so-called "Mirakel-
bUcher") are cited that were written by clerics who used to
live in the respective places of pilgrimage, and which con-
tain details of miracle healings as well as about the per-
sons healed and where they came from. It is shown that
the genesis of a shrine was closely linked with manifest
economic interests: a sacrifice was left at the shrine or
promised in the case of recovery from an illness. The dis-
sections of the mortal remains of martyrs into small relics
corresponds to magical thinking which could also prove to
be profitable for the cleric. A number of cases of
"spontaneous healing" of severe illnesses are reported that
occurred in an emotionally charged affective "field" of
pilgrimage or of intensive prayer; however, there also. were
reports of miracle healing outside religiously inspired mass
meetings. An attempt is made to understand certain
reports of miracles, e.g., of spontaneous healings of
paralyses or blindnesses with the help of modern theories
of neurosis and psychosomatics. The function of medieval
Vol. 6, No. 2 December 1988
saints within the healing proem is seen in analogy to Carl
Jung's archetypes. Some reports suggest a paranormal in-
terpretation, for example the unexplained movement of ob-
jects near certain shrines. - DA/G.H.
ITALIAN LANGUAGE
(Editor: Paola Giovetti)
LUCE E OMBRA
03033. Biondi, Massimo. Man and parapsychology
today. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jan/Mar), 87(1), 1-9.
Since the end of World War II a sequence of
changes, both in quantity and in quality, deriving from. the
Rhinean school, have characterized experimental researches
in parapsychology. For several years parapsychology seems
to have been in a state of crisis and confusion. This is
due to renewed criticisms, to the death of the foremost
researchers who were followers of Rhine's methods, and to
the interest of new researchers addressed to more critical
ideas (such as how psi happens inside the biological and
physical sciences). All this could lead to the end of mat-
ter, or, anyway, to a major change in how we conceive of
it. Consequently, being able to bring back the researchers'
interest about phenomena which received so much atten-
tion at the end of the past century--the so-called
"spontaneous phenomena"-should be desired. In analyzing
all the material at our disposition and comparing it at the
same time with the results obtained by scientific branches,
it is possible to foresee the direction research will take,
suggesting a more adequate interpretation of our current
knowledge. When we dispose of such a reference point, the
human image arising from parapsychological research does
not basically move away from what classic science has al-
ready said. That such a fact is important should be recog-
nized, not only because it could help parapsychology to
receive more consideration from the ruling culture, but be-
cause it would be possible to harmonize data from dif-
ferent sectors. This would allow us to then visualize
human nature without so many contradictions. Parapsy-
chology could overcome its own crisis by finding a sig-
nificant role inside current knowledge. - DA/R.A.W.
03034. Servadio, Emilio, and Bernardi, Sergio.
Obituaries of Gastone De Boni. Luce e Ombra, 1987
(Jan/Mar), 87(1), 10-11.
Two tributes to the pioneer Italian psychical
researcher Gastone de Boni. - R.A.W.
03035. Piancastelli, Corrado. A humanistic pattern for
scientific parapsychology. Luce e Ombra, 1987
(Jan/Mar), No. 1, 12-15.
Parapsychology must broaden its view of human na-
ture. It should renew itself by (1) paying attention to the
"borderline" phenomena, which can create a continuity be-
tween the field of parapsychology and the psychic reality
field as known by other sciences, (2) recognizing how im-
portant subjectivity is, (3) considering a unitary theory
about personality in which "borderline" phenomena could
be included, (4) exclusion of math conceptualism as being
unable to understand the vividness of the personal ex-
periences, (5) not appealing to analogies with artifical in-
telligence (computers), (6) a thorough study made of "brain
activity" and the "unconscious." These points should be
kept in mind in order to reestablish parapsychological
research, and most of all, to create a global comprehension
of the human being. -DA/R.A.W.
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