Anathem

First Appearance and Context

Within the maths, distinct bell patterns announce different rites. On one such occasion, changes that did not match the familiar cadence of Eliger led to concern that the call might be Anathem; the gathering that followed proved instead to be Voco, and observers noted that a freely talking crowd would have been unlikely had it been Anathem. Later, the aut of Anathem was in fact rung in the Mynster at the Concent of Saunt Edhar, expelling Fraa Orolo.

Roles/Actions and Affiliations

Anathem denotes the formal rite in which a member is expelled from the mathic community—being Thrown Back. It is identified by its own bell‑change pattern and is regarded as a moment of communal sobriety rather than celebration or debate.

Relationships

• Contrasted rites: Eliger is a vow‑taking selection rite, while Voco is a formal calling‑out by external authority; Anathem is the expulsion rite that removes a member from the community.
• Not the hymn: Not to be confused with the liturgical song known as the Hylaean Anathem, which is performed during Provener and is unrelated to expulsion.

Descriptions/Characteristics

• Bell signal: Recognized by a specific pattern of changes distinct from other calls; at Saunt Edhar it was remembered as a pattern not heard there for roughly two centuries.
• Rite sequence (as witnessed): The called avout emerges into the chancel, casts aside sphere, chord, and bolt, the community sings a wrathful song to anathematize, and the individual departs into the Sæculum. Afterward, those remaining reaffirm vows and rededicate themselves to the Discipline.
• Atmosphere: Hushed and intense; a chatty crowd is taken as evidence that the call is not Anathem.
• Colloquial usage: Avout sometimes speak of “risking Anathem” to mean that an action may merit expulsion; the phrase underscores the rite’s severity.

Current Status/Location

Active and in force. Recently witnessed at Saunt Edhar, where the aut of Anathem was performed in the Mynster to expel a member, after which the community proceeded with vow reaffirmations.