Does Astrology help us understand what's happening?

I have always been interested in Astrology, Numerology and other so called 'New Age' means to help us understand our world. I don't see the information as written in stone, that it has to happen a certain, predicted way, but more as a road map pointing out the obstacles and the different routes.

This morning I came across an interesting article by Barbara Hand Clow, scroll down to the Virgo New Moon: August 30, 2008 section. Here one part of the article that really caught my attention:

"I realize that it might look like I am biased about these events, yet I am simply tracking things that show significant diminishment of global respect for America. I am watching this building anti-Americanism (like in the 1960s) because we are moving closer to the first Saturn/ Uranus opposition since 1965-67, when the US was in turmoil over the Vietnam War and racism. Back in the mid-1960s, Saturn was in Pisces opposing Neptune in Virgo, and now Saturn is in Virgo moving to an opposition to Uranus in Pisces. In the coming months, I will have much to say about this opposition, which will be close all the way through 2010. I will address the fact that the Saturn/Uranus oppositions in the 1960s and the ones coming in 2008-2010 significantly aspect the USA Neptune in Virgo, which squares Mars in Gemini. For now, let us note that the first Saturn/Uranus opposition, which will create significant tensions between authority and freedom, will occur on November 4, 2008, the day of the US Presidential election! What are the chances this is just a coincidence? Considering this building opposition and the great shift in world power during July and August 2008, let us examine this New Moon Virgo to imagine how it might sculpt these changes that have already started."

I can't explain why, but I have always had that feeling that we were about to repeat what happened in the late 60s and this article put everything in perspective for me. Saturn and Uranus are in the same alignment they were in then, the only difference is that they have switched signs. So it is a repeat performance, but as we all know, you can't really repeat something and get the same result as time has passed. Time moves in circles, no it moves in spirals and we think we are back where we started, but that is not the case. It might look that we are back at the same spot, but we are now a level higher and have experienced things that have colored our point of view. And so, I view that alignment of Saturn and Uranus as such. It might feel like it is a repeat performance, but with the planets in opposite signs this time around, the influences have changed and so the outcome will also be different. I am looking forward to see how this all will unfold.