Andrea, Johann Valentin

Andrea, Johann Valentin. A German theologian, born Aug. 17, 1586 near Tubingen, died, Stuttgart, June 27, 1654. He studied at Tubingen, and became a Protestant minister, eventually Prelate of Adelberg, and almoner of the Duke of Wurttemberg. He was grieved by the tendency of his age to indulge in empty disputations and theological discussions, preferring a more Christian attitude of practical good works. His philosophy took a genial, humorous trend, notwithstanding acute reasoning and moral power. Indeed, his literary touch was so delicate and his themes were so subtle that there has long been a dispute over his connection with Rosicrucianism. This arose out of a work accredited to him and usually referred to as Fama Fraternitatis published in 1614, the full title of which is: Allgemeine und General-Reformation der ganzen weiten Welt. Benebst der Fama Fraternitatis des Loblichen Ordens des Rosencreuzes, (meaning Universal and General Reformation of the whole Wide World, and also the noted Fraternity of the Praiseworthy Order of the Rosy Cross, inscribed to all the Learned and Rulers of Europe), and out of a subsequent work published in 1615 purporting to be that of a fictitious author whom he named Christian Rosencreutz, the name of the work being Chemische Hochzeit, literally, Chemical Wedding but usually rendered Chemical Nuptials or Jubilee. These will be discussed more fully under Rosicrucians. Other works of Andrea, less noted because they did not deal with Rosicrucians, were Menippus or A Hundred Satyric Dialogues (1617) and Spiritual (Clerical) Relaxation (1619). John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress is thought to resemble Andrea’s Herculis Christiani Luctus XXIV.

Macoy Collector's Note: Andrea is a pivotal figure in esoteric history. His satirical and allegorical texts are widely considered the match that lit the Rosicrucian enlightenment, profoundly influencing the mystical milieu that later fed into speculative Freemasonry.