The idea of having a Moretti seminar in historic Urbino in September appealed to many Montreal participants. Aside from Urbino's importance as the site of the famed Moretti Institute, Italy's graphological mecca and the location of one of the two universities which now offer a three-year course of study leading to a diploma in graphology, a visit there encompasses a trip to Italy, with all the scenic, gustatory and cultural pleasures which go with a visit to that tourist-friendly country.

But perhaps as important to us as all of the above was the open-heartedness of the two chief organizers, Enza and Alessandra, both not only highly-experienced practitioners and teachers, but delightful human beings as well. It was clear to the representatives of the Executive Committee that a seminar with them had to be not only professionally valuable but most enjoyable as well.

Thus it was that Executive Committee members Maresi de Monchy, Graziella Pettinati and the writer met with Enza in Rome in January to make plans for the seminar. Subsequently, Graziella and the writer went with Enza to Urbino where we visited the Moretti Institute and met Alessandra and her colleague on the teaching staff of the graphology department of the University, Dr. Pacifico Cristofanelli, Director of the Moretti Institute who is also a member of our Advisory Board.

Within hours, we had attended two graphology classes at the University (they offer their graphology courses every other weekend during the school year plus a week intensive during the summer to make it possible for people already in the work force to earn a degree in graphology) and selected a comfortable hotel close to the old town as headquarters for the seminar. As we discussed the organization of the seminar with our colleagues, a plan was evolved whereby there would be about 15 hours of instruction and ten hours of workshop. Two all-afternoon breaks for escorted sightseeing were also included.

For someone from a major Western country where not even one university-level course in graphology exists, not even any kind of school with graded classes, actually witnessing real university classes in graphology with professional teachers and young adult students was an unforgettable experience. Something miraculous had taken place in Italy hardly two years ago and with very little fanfare.

It was clear that this was a truly remarkable achievement in the often-disparaged world of graphology. To the best of the writer's knowledge, outside of Italy it is only at the University of Valencia in Spain that it is possible to earn a diploma in graphology and even at Valencia , the University has not yet agreed to grant successful graduates of that program a university diploma. The diploma granted is by the Faculty of Legal Medicine, under whose auspices the program of study is conducted. In Germany in 1999, only first-year university courses in graphology were offered and then only in Lepzig and Munich .

Theodore Barnett

Urbino Training - September 1999

Introduction

Urbino has been preserved by its physical isolation. Notoriously bad roads, modernized now, have protected it from the ravages of tourism. The town is set in some of the most impressive scenery in Italy .

The University was founded in 1508 and today it is one of the few academic institutions to have a close association with graphology. There are three University degrees in Italy , the Diploma (short degree), the Laurea and the Doctorate. Urbino University offers a course which leads to the Diploma in Graphology.

In September 1999 the Moretti Graphological Institute hosted a study week. It was jointly organized by the International Graphological Colloquium, the Moretti Institute and Lumsa University , Rome . It was attended by a group of people extremely well-versed in graphological methods from nine different countries. The organizers were top-caliber experts in Italian graphology. It was the first formal session to offer an understanding of Moretti's method to English-speaking graphologists. The degree program can be as long as four years, so clearly a seven-day session could never be comprehensive.

The Institute

The Institute is contained in an old building in Plazza San Francesco, there are four offices, two lecture rooms, a library and an archive. Such a dedicated facility must be the envy of most graphological organizations worldwide. Indeed, the intake of 50 students each year makes it essential to provide such facilities.

The library contains over 500 theses, which have been presented by previous students as a fine pre-requisite for the diploma award. This alone is a valuable and important resource. Another major resource is the archive of all analyses done by Institute staff since the center was established. These include analyses carried out for private clients, who may include law firms, the police and companies. Each is numbered sequentially, there are currently over 17,000 such analyses.

The library has bookshelves from wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling. The collection of graphology journals and newsletters from all countries of the world usually dates back to the first issue. There are texts of historical interest, conference proceedings, pamphlets, encyclopedia holdings, dictionaries, and so on. This is one of the key world graphological libraries.

The Faculty

The study week was organized by Alessandra Millevolte and Enza Petrillo. They were supported by an outstanding cast: the Director of the Moretti Institute, the Head of the Graphology Department at Lumsa University ( Rome ), who is also a very distinguished pediatrician - and incidentally was instrumental in achieving academic acceptance for the subject, the President of Italian Graphological Association and numerous others.

The Attendees

All delegates arrived with many years of practical and theoretical exposure to graphology. Indeed there are many words that spring to mind when describing them: qualified, top, experienced, professional, skilled, well prepared.

Among the attendees were two of Israel 's top graphologists (Past President of Israel's Society for Scientific Graphology and the Co-Director of one of Israel 's leading graphology schools which teaches almost 200 students on a four-year course). There were also the President and Vice-President of ASPG (an extremely professional association). Similarly the President of the Netherlands Graphology Association (and also EGS Vice-President), the former Vice-President of the Quebec Graphological Association, the Vice-President of Switzerland's largest German-speaking graphological society, the President of the Circulo Hispano-Francés de Grafología was represented.

Such a line-up of teacher, practitioners and professionals inevitably paved the way to discussions at a well-informed level. It led to a group spirit that was truly congenial and collegial. It has been said that there was “harmony throughout.” Combined with the enthusiasm and friendliness of the faculty this led to a memorable week for all concerned.

The Program

An historic, dedicated hail was used to deliver the lectures. These included Foundations of Moretti's System, the Scientific Basis for Graphological Signs with particular emphasis on Curved-Angular. The Steps in Handwriting Analysis: From Passive Contemplation to the Portrait. A special session was dedicated to Moretti's “ricci” whereby Moretti defined numerous “free-strokes.” Another session covered Moretti's original Four Temperaments. Triple Width and Methodically Irregular are two other original features of Moretti's system and they were the center of another lecture. Finally a lecture asked “Can body characteristics be visible in handwriting? and What environmental influences are visible in handwriting? This largely drew on Moretti's Somatic Graphology, a book describing how to determine the physical body from a document.

The value of a program held face-to-face on location must be acknowledged. It is possible to answer queries directly, to use blackboards, body language and re-questioning, to ensure that concepts are fully understood. This is particularly important for the Moretti System, which has been kept from the English speaking world because his works have not been widely translated, indeed English terms have not yet satisfactorily been found for several Moretti signs.

In addition to the lecture program were a series of workshops where individual analyses took place. These permitted delegates to apply the themes and to understand the outcome in a practical setting. Ted Barnett's Comparative Analysis technique also could take place in this forum, giving an even deeper appreciation of all systems.

Moretti Celebration

The “Cattedra Internazionale ‘Girolamo Moretti'” was instigated as a Lecture Day open to all past students of graphology. It is held at Mondolfo where Moretti lived for many years. Fortunately the 1999 event took place during the study week. All delegates made welcome at the event, and indeed representatives, were invited to speak. The 1999 theme addressed Moretti's graphology, and graphology in the United States . The day highlighted many opportunities for collaboration between Italy and America .

Conclusion

Moretti's method is an original approach to graphological analysis. Whilst there are many similarities with existing systems, there is much more to learn. In addition to the system itself, the group learned much from the well-organized Institute and the explanations of how graphology has achieved academic acceptance in Italy . The study week built a sound foundation upon which further collaboration can now take place. Such collaboration is likely to involve teaching and learning; researching and questioning; collaboration and exchanging. A special word of thanks is necessary to Ted Barnett for making the week possible.

Nigel Bradley

My views on the Urbino experience

When I look back on the Urbino experience it is the real sense of “aliveness” that lingers. Graphology is thriving in Urbino and seems to be generally so in Italy . Their healthy student base is striking; their use of weekend lectures and summer schools certainly puts graphology within the grasp of a wider working audience. I was uplifted to see the gathering at Mondolfo, a large lecture hall crammed full with every age group but even more so with lots of young men and women in their mid 20s to mid 30s - an enthusiastic and robust gathering of the current day and future professionals for Italian graphology.

I recall being told that Father Moretti set as the core goal that graphology should be of genuine help to people and that studies, knowledge, skills and resources should be centralized and strengthened towards that aim. To the credit of Fr. Torbidoni and his team, it appears to be working.

The Moretti system is impressive in itself - its potential for across the board clarity and understanding is evidenced through its categorization by using 1/10 measurements. Good for thorough eye-training in students, good for mutual understanding among graphologists and good for accessing by other professionals such as psychologists, etc. It offers a way of sharing a more precise dialogue.

Above all, I value still the coming together of graphologists from varied parts of the world. The mix of shared serious-mindedness for our subject, with the unexpected spontaneity of sheer good fun created a very easy platform for making new friends. The discussions could be heated and “gritty,” yet the amount of laughter we shared together superseded everything.

Bernadette Keefe of the British Academy , a governor of the London College
of Graphology and member of the Executive Committee of the IGC

Reflections on Urbino

Last September, nestled in the hills of Urbino , Italy , a group of international graphologists met. They came together as professionals and departed as respected friends. What transpired at our bucolic hideaway was a blending of knowledge and camaraderie with individuals that represented the best of both.

From the professional perspective, the level of study and the exchange of ideas was exciting. It furthered my understanding of the complexity and beauty of graphology. The seriousness and expertise of the participants was also impressive. The material, format and presentation was one of the most concentrated conferences that I have had the pleasure of attending. In addition, exposure to the Moretti system added much to my understanding of personality. This Moretti System also provided the graphic tools to enhance my work. The depth of the material and the intense application to analyses was excellent. The Moretti System demonstrated new insights to fine-tune temperament assessments of individuals. The work with the Fugitive Gesture or “Ricci” proved to be most helpful in adding the final touch on analyses.

As I am writing about the Moretti System, I think about the atmosphere at the conference. I am transported back to the hotel balcony overlooking the view of Urbino. Picturing the setting sun, I can vividly recall the drinks, food and our group of people wanting to exchange ideas. I wanted to speak not only about graphology, but about their lives. In fact, I do not think there was anyone that did not pique my interest. Therefore, my memories of Urbino are stronger because the players were as important as the material. The level of involvement of the international “hit list” of graphologists reminds me of a quote by renowned philatrophist and tycoon, Andrew Carnegie, “People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents.” With the Colloquium in Urbino, motivation was the operative experience, and to this day, I remain forever grateful to be part of that experience.

Lois Vaisman, Vice-President of the American Society for Professional Graphologists and member of the International Graphological Colloquium Executive Committee

Urbino recalled

Apart from being surrounded by Medieval History in Urbino, also being surrounded by colleagues from all over the world whose interest and sometimes passion for graphology one could share, was equally a feast!

Enza de Petrillo and Alessandra Millevolte were our stars, instructing us with a contagious enthusiasm the Moretti System. I was impressed by the excellent structure of their interesting workshops, the patience they demonstrated over and over again, clarifying the - for many of use - new approach towards graphology and the precise way in which they had prepared the themes.

The initiative of the IGC to organize a symposium in one of the oldest University cities in Italy proved to be an excellent way to introduce the Moretti System to non-Italian graphologists. The system is hardly known to, and even less used by, the Austrian, Danish, Dutch, Czech, German and Swiss graphologists, who stick mainly to the “ German School .” In Urbino it was a revelation to see a quite different way of looking at a handwriting and realizing that, in comparison with other systems, the conclusions at the end, are comparable and compatible.

The visit to the “Instituto Grafologico” of the University of Urbino , was another highlight of our stay in the sunny, autumn city with its cobbly, narrow streets, with hidden small and bigger palazzos. The encounter with Padre Cristofanelli, who showed us around in the impressive archives of thousands and thousands of analyses of studied handwritings by students and scientists, all according to the system of the autodidactical “Padre.” Padre Torbidoni and his colleagues spoke enthusiastically about the school and their teaching methods.

It is for sure that the “Instituto Moretti” is setting standards for a scientific development of graphology, and having been officially accepted by the Italian Government to form part of a university study, creates prerogatives for other Universities in Europe to follow their example.

The Urbino days were spent with other graphologists in a collegial, very amiable atmosphere that strengthened many earlier established friendships. A wish to return to Urbino is permanent, and especially if all members of the IGC could be there at the same time!

Maresi de Monchy, President of the Netherlands Graphological
Society and Chair of the IGC Advisory Board