Originally published in 1954, The Theory of Celestial Influence is an exploration of the universe and man's place in it. Drawing extensively on the teachings of Russian mathematician and esotericist P. D. Ouspensky and Greek-Armenian Esoteric doctrine teacher George Gurdjieff, author Rodney Collins examines 20th century scientific discoveries and attempts to unite astronomy, physics, chemistry, human physiology and world history with his own version of planetary influences. He concludes that the driving force behind everything is neither procreation nor survival, but expansion of awareness. Collin sets out to reconcile the considerable contradictions of the rational and imaginative minds and of the ways we see the external world versus our inner selves.