Interview: Agent 104 – Kenan Yasin

You come from such an interesting part of the globe. Tell us a bit about your corner of the world. What do you think a visitor to your hometown would find interesting?

I was born and raised in Istanbul. When people think of Istanbul, they often picture a city that has inspired countless poems and songs. More importantly, it holds great significance in world history. It witnessed a major turning point associated with the end of the Middle Ages, when the Byzantine Empire gave way to the Ottoman Empire. For that reason, it is a remarkable place where many cultures have been woven together, layer upon layer.

Istanbul also serves as a bridge between East and West. The city stands on both the Asian and European continents. When we consider Türkiye as a whole, we encounter many significant settlements and historical transitions. For example, the Treaty of Kadesh, signed between the Hittite Empire (whose centre was in Anatolia) and Egypt, is regarded as one of the earliest known written peace treaties in history. We can also observe in Anatolia the transition from the Achaemenid Empire to the Hellenistic Period through the campaigns of Alexander the Great.

On one side, there is seafaring, exploration and a cuisine rich in olive oil; on the other, there is agriculture, livestock farming and butter. Even this contrast tells us a great deal. In astrology, we often associate bridges and transitions with Libra. If you look closely, the geographical shape of Türkiye seems to resemble the Libra glyph. You may see it as an intriguing similarity or as a key for those who wish to search for deeper meanings behind it… The choice is yours.

What do you think the astrology world where you live is unique to the rest of the world?

Although the geographical shape of Türkiye resembles the Libra glyph, its national chart (29 October 1923) has a Scorpio Sun, Pisces South Node and Cancer Ascendant. Türkiye is surrounded by seas on three sides and lies largely on the active Anatolian Plate. I believe this geography has shaped our social and cultural character, creating a deep interest in signs, intuition, myths, mystery and the occult.

Following the path of the Virgo North Node, we are learning to systematise this knowledge and bring it into practical, useful and recognised frameworks. Compared with many other astrological communities, astrology in Türkiye places particular emphasis on karma, fate and free will.

Mevlânâ Jalāl al-Dīn Rumi, whose words are now known around the world, also flourished in these lands. His legacy reflects the way knowledge and symbolism are blended here with goodness, conscience, compassion and unity. Differences meet through tolerance. Perhaps this is why many astrologers in Türkiye combine Western and Eastern traditions, embracing modern ideas while preserving ancient knowledge and inherited wisdom.

Everyone has a story about how they heard the astrological call. How did you become interested in astrology?

To be honest, there was no major turning point in my story. I experienced no great trauma, nor did anyone in my family have an interest in astrology. For as long as I can remember, I have been searching for meaning. There is reality, and then there is the truth behind it… I think I have been a curious seeker of that truth since childhood.

I have been asked this question many times, and at first it always surprised me. I assumed that everyone questioned the world, remained curious and could understand the language of symbols to some extent. Over time, I realised that people have different levels of understanding. You cannot feed a baby something it is not yet able to digest; it needs time to grow and develop. I believe we experience a similar process with spiritual teachings.

We find similar ideas in many cultures. In my country, Rumi and Sufism describe spiritual development through the layers of the nafs, or the self. I grew up in a culture shaped by such teachings, which may be why the language of astrology never felt unfamiliar to me. In short, I did not go looking for astrology; when the time was right, astrology came and found me.

We all have people who taught and influenced us. Whose astrological work do you most admire?

That is a wonderful question. The first person who comes to mind is Nicholas Campion and his invaluable body of work. I have always admired his outlook on life and the way he approaches symbolism through history, geography, philosophy and methodology.

For example, I first knew Charles Jayne as an important astrologer who had explored esoteric and metaphysical subjects. As I studied his work more closely, I discovered how extensively he had drawn upon statistics, mathematics, trigonometry and physics. The technical depth of his work increased my admiration for him even further.

Still, rather than focusing on a few individual names, it is the historical development of astrology that truly excites me. Considering the conditions of his time, Ptolemy’s work was extraordinary. The contributions of Valens, Dorotheus and Manilius to the systematisation of Hellenistic astrology are equally admirable.

I am particularly fascinated by Valens’s long journeys in search of astrological knowledge, the dangers he faced at sea, and his decision to record and share what he had learned. Then, of course, there is Bonatti and his immense contribution to medieval astrology.

We should also thank the “three Roberts”, who played an essential role in bringing ancient astrological sources back into the light: Robert Zoller, Robert Hand and Robert Schmidt.

Over the course of our astrological practices, we eventually find something that we enjoy and develop. What is your astrological Super Power and how do you use it?

I would like to share something I often tell my students. I think my greatest secret is that I studied the scientific side of things. With my background in Molecular Biology and Genetics, my superpower is the ability to bring quantitative, observable fields such as physics, chemistry and biology together with qualitative and symbolic ones.

When I look at a leaf, I can identify its cuticle, palisade mesophyll and spongy mesophyll. When I connect its biological structure with celestial symbolism, very different layers of meaning emerge. Astrology is not concerned exclusively with human beings; it also encompasses living and non-living environments, habitats, fauna and flora. I believe that my ability to see beyond human-centred interpretations when reading a chart is one of the things that distinguishes my work.

For example, you might interpret a Mars transit through the twelfth house of a pregnant woman as a psychologically challenging period. You might suggest that she will need to make a greater effort to form a bond with her child. Yet we must also consider physical and medical circumstances. The struggle we see symbolically might coincide with a medical issue such as blood-group incompatibility. Astrology does not make a diagnosis here; it seeks to understand the possible symbolic correspondences.

In short, I am following the principle “As above, so below.” Without understanding our world, geography, mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, it becomes harder to comprehend space, time and the meanings carried by celestial bodies. Perhaps my first piece of advice to anyone interested in astrology would be to begin by studying the world itself – a little “worldology”, if you like.

If you could go back in time, you might want to do something different in the course of becoming a professional astrologer. What advice would you give to new astrologers?

In classical tradition, astrology is associated with Mercury, and in a broader sense with Jupiter. Jupiter belongs to the realm of nobles, aristocrats, teachers and religious figures. Yet Jupiter also has a shadow side: intellectual arrogance, self-importance, an inability to listen and a tendency to judge.

I think this is precisely where we need to pause and reflect. By its Jupiterian nature, astrology is vast and multidimensional. It can embrace many different fields. Yet every field has its own specialists. If you are interested in medical astrology, you should also follow people with expertise in medicine. If you are a financial astrologer, you should draw upon the knowledge and experience of bankers and financial professionals. Knowledge is a great power, but what you choose to do with it is up to you.

Astrology is an important system of knowledge. However, when you put that knowledge into practice, you need to understand the field in which you are working and be willing to learn from its specialists.

For example, I work with AstroMapping. I am not a cartographer. I am not going to draw maps or carry out cartographic surveys. Yet should I not still learn about Cartesian and spherical coordinate systems, Euclidean geometry, or the way cylindrical projections work?

My archive contains facsimile editions prepared from Byzantine manuscripts of Ptolemy’s Geographia, alongside editions of his Tetrabiblos. To take a field seriously means going beyond the part that is directly connected with astrology and reaching towards its foundations as far as you can.

Observe and remain curious. Curiosity, curiosity, curiosity!

And remember: Mercury stands opposite Jupiter as rulers of Gemini and Sagittarius. Observation, research, experience and curiosity can carry you from Jupiter’s shadow into its light.

The world has changed so much since you first started studying astrology. How do you think astrology has changed in the past 20 years?

To be honest, given my age, I do not have twenty years of personal experience in astrology. I began studying it around 2008 and started my professional career in 2013, so a full twenty-year perspective is slightly beyond my own experience.

Still, I belong to a generation that witnessed the transition from a largely pre-digital way of life into the technological world. Part of my childhood was relatively untouched by technology, and then came the years when computers and the internet entered our homes.

When I first began working with AstroMapping, I was one of those people who printed maps onto transparent sheets, rather like acetate, and moved them across geographical maps by hand. The development of astrological software that followed must have felt like an extraordinary leap, especially for earlier generations.

I can observe this historical change very clearly in the writings of the wonderful Chris Mitchell. He brings different generations together so beautifully that I would gladly encourage readers to explore his work.

Speaking from my own experience, there was also a period when we had some excellent online forums. Through them, I could reach respected astrologers, read their articles and source material, and ask them questions directly.

Today, communication and the sharing of knowledge have become far more structured. We now have important platforms such as C*I*A, international networks, professional associations and organisations that open their doors to a wider community.

I find it deeply valuable that astrology has developed into a field capable of bringing together different generations and cultures in this way.

You’ve been practicing astrology for a long time. What are your plans for the future and your Mission with astrology?

In astrology, we use a lot known as Pars Spiritus, or the Lot of Spirit. It whispers something small yet powerful about our purpose and mission in life. I know by heart an interpretation Bernadette Brady gives when the Lot of Spirit falls in an earth sign: “To bring mystical and occult subjects into practical use.” That describes my own mission perfectly.

I want to connect astrology with everyday life, practical value, observable fields, geography and the Earth itself. I also hope to create a synthesis by building bridges between Türkiye and the international astrological community.

Drawing upon my background in Molecular Biology and Genetics, I am developing an area of research within medical astrology that I call “Astrocytology”. I am investigating possible correspondences between cellular organelles and planetary symbols. Ancient astrologers did not have electron microscopes. Today, however, we can observe the effects of disease at cellular and organelle level. I believe that exploring whether meaningful patterns can be found between astrological indicators and biological data may lead to valuable results. For quite some time, a small research team and I have been reviewing academic literature and collecting data.

I am also continuing my work in the fields of locational knowledge, geography and AstroMapping. Through the travel programmes we organise, we bring knowledge into direct contact with place and lived experience. Through books, courses and international events, I hope to build an enduring network of knowledge.

What would you change in astrology if you could?

As a devoted Harry Potter fan, I would like to answer this question through the distinction between wizards and Muggles in Rowling’s world: would you change the wizarding world itself, or would you change the way Muggles perceive wizards?

I would not want to change the essence of astrology. What I would want to change is the way the Muggle world perceives it.

For a more concrete example, we might consider the worldview Richard Tarnas explores in Cosmos and Psyche. According to Tarnas, modern humanity’s tendency to see the universe as lifeless, mechanical and devoid of meaning also shapes the way astrology is judged. Rather than attempting to change astrology, the book invites modern people to reconsider the way they understand the cosmos.

For astrology to be understood more accurately, we need stronger professional associations, more social responsibility projects, and a greater number of open-minded, visionary leaders within our field. This is one of the reasons I take an active role in various associations and platforms, trying in whatever way I can to contribute to the way astrology is perceived in society.

What do you think the astrology world where you live is unique to the rest of the world?

Local astrology groups have come and gone over the years, but there are still dedicated folks getting together out there. Early in my career, I brought many well-known astrologers for workshops and such. The busier I got, the less time I had to do so.

What would you like to let people know about what you have coming up, courses, conferences, retreats?

One of the projects that excites me most in the coming period is “IAC III – Astrology at the Dawn of Civilization”, which we will hold in Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa. Together with astrologers from different countries, we will visit places of extraordinary importance to human history, including Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe and Harran. By bringing together lectures, archaeological visits, night-sky observations and experiential work, we will explore astrology among the traces of history and directly beneath the stars.

I also continue to teach advanced AstroMapping and predictive techniques at Kepler College. My courses bring transits, progressions, solar returns, Solar Arc techniques and rectification into dialogue with locational astrology. In September, I will speak on related subjects at the Astrological Association Conference in Nottingham.

At Deneysel Astroloji Academy, we are developing a range of specialist courses alongside our foundational and advanced programmes. I am also continuing the educational journey that began with genetics through a master’s degree in Educational Administration at Yıldız Technical University.

My aim is to carry the experience I have gained as the founder of an academy into the university environment, pursue further work as an academic, and contribute to a more systematic structure for astrological education. In the years ahead, I plan to share my research through new books and expand my international teaching.

What inspired you to join the C*I*A as an Agent?

I would like to answer this very sincerely.

Years ago, an astrologer came to Türkiye. She had brought black T-shirts with a green emblem on them. We were having dinner at a crowded table with many astrologers, and there was one person at that table carrying an extraordinary sense of excitement within her: Julija.

Whenever she spoke about her work, her eyes lit up. She had travelled from the other side of the world, from Australia, together with her husband. It felt as though she had brought C*I*A to that table with her, almost like a member of her family, or a child she had nurtured with great care.

That evening captivated me more than anything else. Of course, I could speak about C*I*A’s important place in the astrological world, the remarkable people it has hosted, its contribution to the sharing of knowledge, and the legacy it has created. I could also speak at length about Julija’s valuable work in astrology.

Yet sometimes, a small moment and the bridge created through it can reach beyond all of that. Our languages, cultures and senses of humour may have been different, but astrology was our shared language, and sincerity was the ground on which we all met.

Just look at C*I*A. It brings together different cultures, distinctive voices and diverse astrological traditions within one shared network so beautifully. That resonates deeply with my own mission.

The bridge I have been trying to build between East and West expands through C*I*A to connect the Northern and Southern Hemispheres as well, becoming truly international.

Thank you very much.

WEBSITE: kenanyasin.com
Contact email: info@kenanyasin.com