We are used to the planets going about their normal direction throughout the zodiac in the typical seasonal calendar fashion (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, etc). However, the precession of the equinox must also be taken into consideration when doing astrological calculations. The scientific law of the precession states that for every 72 years the planet roughly tilts by ABOUT 1 degree. Since there are 30 degrees in a sign, this is how we determine the true length of an astrological age.. 72 x 30 = 2,160 years. The tricky part here is that the planet is tilting counter to what the direction of its ecliptic plane is... Think of it as what sign the earth's axis is pointing to equaling what age we are in.
As for the astrological effect, we see an extreme change in our world by the beginning of the Antiquarian age (December 21st, 2012-- as famously calculated by the Mayans). The age of Pisces was one in which secret and illusion dominated. Think about The American Dream. About government hiding secrets from its people. About people blindly following their leaders or their religions. Much information was hidden in this age.
However, in the Antiquarian age, all secrets are revealed. We see this through things like the internet and Julian Assange's WikiLeaks. Another obvious change is the fact that group orientation dominates over individual orientation-- meaning anything that creates opportunities to network in this next age will become the norm (Facebook, internet, United Nations). So if you want to become a millionaire anytime soon, think about how you could cut boundaries by creating networking possibilities!
In Esoteric thought, this age preludes the opportunity for society to move from individual consciousness into mass consciousness. Though oddly enough, we will not achieve what our souls desire to achieve (in terms of enlightenment, the divine plan, etc) until we then move again from mass consciousness into individual consciousness (which will happen in the Age of Capricorn or perhaps even before if we've made significant progress). This is a peculiar move, as it was between the Renaissance and Age of Enlightenment that humanity moved from group consciousness into individual consciousness. We have been in that consciousness ever since. Now that we are developed enough as individuals, we are now transcending back into a more advanced version of mass consciousness. Once we've achieved right human relations and cooperation with others, we will then make our last and final shift into individual consciousness and then there will be no more shifts after that.
Hope this answers your questions
Reg