The phrase comes from the Roman Catholic rite of "major excommunication" or "anathema", which dates from the middle of the eight century. It is the equivalent of a Catholic "curse", applied to someone who has transgressed the strict laws of the Church-someone who has "made shipwreck of their faith", either by flagrant and impenitent immorality or by a denial of fundamental Christian teachings. The bell represents the open announcement of the act, the books is the authority of the words spoken by the bishop, and the candle(or taper) symbolizes the possibility that the basn could be lifted, should the accused be sufficiently repentant. The rite is carried out in a public place, along with the bishop are 12 priests, each holding a lighted taper.The bishop says" we declare him excommunicated and anathema;we judge him damned and condemned to eternal fire with Satan and his angels and all the reprobate, so long as he will not burst the fetters of demons, do penance and satisfy the Church".A bell is rung as the book is closed. The priests respond with "So be it",inverted the lighted tapers each carried,and smash them,top down,extinguishing the flame of each.This signifies the end of the culprit's attachment to the church and, indeed his soul from the sight of God.In some countries, local churchgoers would subsequently carry a coffin to the door of the one excommunicated and stones might be thrown at his house.The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft,Wicca, and Neo-paganism,pp.43-44.
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