Istanbul greeted April 23 with tremors. In this historic city that bridges two continents, the Earth was filled with unease.
And just like the trembling ground, the sky echoed similar anxieties through unsettling astrological patterns.
The chart is truly striking.
MC coincides with a moment of exact 0° sign change, indicating a highly critical and threshold-like timing in the sky.
There is a strong emphasis on the 4th, 8th, and 12th houses. The stellium in the 8th house suggests that crisis, helplessness, and danger are central themes.
A notable T-square is formed between Mars, Pluto, and the Sun. When combined with Turkey’s natal Sun at 5° Scorpio, this configuration becomes a Grand Cross in fixed signs, showing that the tension is not only immediate but also deep and compressed.
Uranus has recently been aligned with the fixed star Algol. In the chart, Uranus also forms antiscia and contra-antiscia placements with Pluto and Mars, pointing to a tension that is not openly visible but operates at a profound level.
From a Vedic perspective, the chart reveals Kala Sarpa Yoga. The only planet that escapes this pattern, from a modern view, is Pluto. This suggests that transformation may only come through deep confrontation, destruction, or fear.
This unsettling sky configuration also stands out in terms of house placements at the exact moment of the earthquake.
Mars, the ruler of the IC, is placed in the 12th house, representing the threat coming from beneath the Earth. This suggests that pressure from below is merging with unconscious fears, creating a foundation for collective unrest. On the other hand, the Moon—ruler of the 12th house—is in Pisces, which cuts across the 8th house. The Moon (the people) and Mars (the Earth) are not in aspect; they cannot see each other. This implies sudden and unexpected developments, a state of being caught unprepared (the quincunx effect).
The Moon’s next aspect is a sextile to the Sun. The Sun rules the 1st house (representing the public) and is also the exaltation ruler of Aries, which is on the 9th house cusp. This indicates that the people, guided by instinct, feel the urge to leave the city—hence the crowded gas stations and overflowing airports.
However, after this sextile, the Moon will carry the light of the Sun to Jupiter by a square. This aspect is particularly striking because Jupiter is in detriment in Gemini; it is also the ruler of the 8th house and the exaltation ruler of the 12th house. In other words, the Moon moves into a challenging square with Jupiter, the planet associated with both crisis, death, and loss (8th house), and confinement, hospitals, and unconscious fears (12th house).
In the worst-case scenario, this could manifest as a major shock—physically or emotionally. But from another perspective, these configurations might instead point toward the spread of fake news in the media, speculative price surges in farmland or rural property markets. Whether a moral or legal “corruption” would be preferable to physical destruction is hard to say.
Moreover, this a day chart and the Moon is not in its own sect. When it comes to Jupiter and the Moon reception, we can say that the Moon is peregrine in Jupiter’s settlement (Gemini). We’re approaching a New Moon; the Moon is losing its light, heading into invisibility. This can signify secret agreements made behind the scenes, individuals exploiting the crisis for personal gain, and a period where the public may struggle to access clear information.
In this context, astrology warns not only of physical tremors, but also of unethical intentions, hidden agendas, and manipulations that must be carefully observed.
Of course, it is neither sufficient nor methodologically sound to evaluate event charts in isolation.
For instance, when we take into account the Full Moon at 23° Libra on April 13, we see that it occurred exactly over Saturn and Mercury in the 4th house of Turkey’s national chart.
These two planets, in Turkey’s chart, are closely associated with themes related to the Earth and what lies beneath it.
Based on my long-term observations, this placement often indicates:
• Subterranean discoveries, mining operations, and archaeological excavations
• As well as underground tremors and geological activity
Other details in the chart are equally noteworthy:
The ASC and Pluto once again fall into the 8th house of Turkey’s natal chart. Additionally, the ruler of the Full Moon, Venus, is stationary at the time.
While Venus’s stationary position is significant in itself, the fact that it forms an antiscia with Turkey’s natal Mars at 7° in the 4th house suggests that the tension linked to the Earth is also interacting with Venusian themes—such as value, security, and balance.
This configuration indicates the potential for both internal unrest and instability in matters of public safety.
When we examine the country’s Solar Return chart, we are once again met with highly striking indicators.
In the chart, the ruler of the 4th house, Jupiter, is placed in the sign that intersects the 8th house.
Moreover, based on the house system used, Jupiter is also the exaltation ruler of Cancer, which is intercepted in the 8th house.
If we assess Jupiter in terms of dignity and rulership, it points to themes that will carry central importance throughout the year—particularly crises related to land, public safety, and issues connected to the Earth itself.
Another notable element in the chart is the opposition between Mars and Pluto.
This aspect signifies an atmosphere open to sudden and destructive transformations, conflict, and forceful dynamics arising from beneath the surface.
The Sun’s placement in the 12th house is also significant, highlighting a lack of control and a hidden or background influence.
The Moon carries the light from Saturn to Jupiter through a square aspect, suggesting that the public mood and sense of safety will be tested throughout the year, and expectations may be difficult to meet.
Turkey’s Solar Return chart—naturally calculated for Ankara coordinates—also presents a striking indication from a cartographic perspective.
In the chart, Jupiter forms a quincunx (150°) to the ASC, and this alignment runs directly across the Marmara Sea.
It’s important to note that Jupiter is the ruler of the IC (in Pisces) in this chart and is also placed in the 8th house.
Furthermore, the quincunx between Jupiter and the ASC represents, in modern interpretation, an unexpected, misaligned, yet sudden and pressurized energy.
When assessed in the context of astrocartography, this aspect draws attention to the potential for unexpected developments and exaggerated reactions in the Marmara region throughout the year.
Jupiter has another remarkable feature in relation to the earthquake.
In particular, its unaspected position in the event chart makes its symbolic influence even more pronounced.
Unaspected planets are astrologically associated with themes like lack of direction, independent activation, and sudden, unpredictable involvement.
This suggests that Jupiter may be playing a detached and system-breaking role, one that operates beyond control and expectation.
Moreover, when the event chart is calculated using Ankara coordinates, Jupiter’s Local Space line also passes directly over the Marmara region.
This striking cartographic detail once again confirms both the Marmara emphasis in the Solar Return chart and the detached yet powerful potential of Jupiter in this context.
BONUS: Istanbul’s Founding Chart and the Earthquake Event
Lastly, I’d like to touch upon the founding chart of Istanbul, a chart whose origin has never been clearly identified, but has been widely used for many years.
Although the exact source of this chart remains unknown, I have personally been working with it and collecting data for over a decade.
And surprisingly, the results it yields are both consistent and striking.
When compared to the earthquake event chart, we once again encounter remarkable overlaps:
• At the time of the earthquake, the ASC was at 11° Leo, aligning exactly with the Moon’s degree in the Istanbul chart.
• Likewise, the Moon at 2° Pisces in the earthquake chart was positioned exactly over Pluto in the Istanbul chart.
These alignments suggest not only an emotional shock on a collective level, but also the activation of fateful and transformative themes related to the city itself.
Additionally, as previously noted, the unaspected Jupiter in the earthquake chart is now forming an aspect to Istanbul’s nodal axis at 19°.
This may indicate that Jupiter is unlocking a significant portal in Istanbul’s karmic or directional journey, potentially influencing both the course and context of unfolding events.
I hope these astrological indicators inspire awareness and motivate Turkey to take action toward preparedness.
As astrologers, may we hold ourselves accountable for the knowledge we carry and create space for conscious, responsible action.
With awareness,
Kenan Yasin Bölükbaşı