This will be an ongoing project to provide answers and opinions about basic astrology questions. In a manner of speaking it does. It shows potentials, describing how cycles are moving in a life. But, the person makes choices that play an essential role in the events of one's life.
Attitude counts a great deal, as well.
Two people undergoing the same crisis can react differently. One can turn the challenge into an opportunity, the other may feel crushed by the situation. Planetary patterns correspond with real shifts of energy, but you still choose how you're going to use them. Differences of character, the natal chart and the mystery of the Soul leave a wide variety of responses for each person. We also learn from experience, so a problem at age 16 is not met in the same way when it arrives at age 35.