That's exactly the sort of thought I've always had about astrology: if there's any truth at all to it, it's because all the astrology BS is just being used as a

That's exactly the sort of thought I've always had about astrology: if there's any truth at all to it, it's because all the astrology BS is just being used as a clock. The effect is the result of other factors that are periodic such as seasons, social factors as you say, etc.