Becoming Honey
Becoming Honey is a love letter of deep gratitude and devotion to Our Mother, Our Lady, Our Beloved Mariam (Mary). It is a richly layered, earth-centered exploration into an expanded view of the Hail Mary Prayer, the Holy Mother, and our own blessed humanity. Despite the widespread recitation of the Hail Mary Prayer, its origins and the profound wisdom embedded in its ancient form remain largely unknown and unexplored, particularly its deep feminine approach to learning and spirituality at the level of the heart, embracing the sacred as it unfolds in each word, syllable, and sound.
Jahanara Laura Mangus
Jahanara Laura Mangus is an artist, teacher, storyteller, instrument maker, metal smith, fiber artist, writer and international recording artist. Drawn to the beauty and ‘livingness’ of the Aramaic language, Jahanara has brought to life many teachings, chants and dances that serve as doorways into its ancient magnetism and healing potential. Her music was featured in the Oscar winning film, Argo, as well as Son of Aram.
Sheikha Jahanara is a teacher and guide in the Sufi Ruhaniat International, as well as a certified leader of the Dances of Universal Peace. She has been leading local and international circles for more than 20 years.
Jahanara is passionate about activating the wisdom of the hands and voice through the pursuit of beauty-making, cultivating eloquence and remembering ancient ancestral skills. Her approach and invitation encourages an intimate touching of life… opening pathways toward the revealing of our deepest natures, our most intimate and story-filled connections to the earth. Through music, creativity, and prayer she serves as a midwife, helping people awaken to their unique voice, creativity and their soul’s hidden potential.
Jahanara is a mother, daughter, sister, partner and third-generation Colorado native. She lives at the feet of the Holy Mother Mountains we call the Rockies in Boulder, Colorado.
Details
To order a hardcover book for $27.95 plus shipping, email me at: jahanara@becominghoney.com
For soft cover copies go to Amazon.com
Becoming Honey is a feast of word, sound, poetry, and practice for all who yearn to explore and embody the mysteries and grace of Divine Feminine energy. From a deep well of study and personal experience, Jahanara Laura Mangus, lyrically invites her readers into a rich and resonant relationship with Mariam/Mary, the Mother of Love.
~~Sue Patton Thoele, author of The Courage to Be Yourself, and How to Stay Upbeat in a Beat Down World
Becoming Honey is both a revelation and a return–an intimate pilgrimage through the heart of the Hail Mary prayer. Part personal story, part translation, part teaching, Jahanara Mangus leads readers through the original Aramaic contours of the prayer, where every word breathes with relational warmth, inspiration, and grace. Saturated with sweetness and luminous insight, Mangus’ writing offers “nutrition to the imagination” and a kind of magic that is both ancient and new. As I read, I feel completely transported by Mariam/ Mary/ and the Divine Feminine. This book is a true devotional treasure!”
–Haven Iverson, Author and Editor
Becoming Honey takes us deeply into the profound devotional practice of the Ave Maria as heard through the Aramaic language. It is both an inspiring personal journey as well as an introduction to devotional practice using sacred sound and contemplation. Laura Mangus is to be congratulated for bringing together many resources—historical, linguistic, and spiritual—to help readers take their own journey with these few words, which began as angel’s blessing of encouragement to a woman in need and continue to resonate in hearts around the world.
The root language of Aramaic has sound/mantric value as well as meaning. That is, in the sacred languages of our world, sound has effect apart from meaning. Further, as the texts were translated, the translators did not have the in depth experience of the writer so in many cases could not understand what the text was saying and poorly translated the meanings. My own Sufi teacher, Murshid Samuel Lewis suggested if anyone went back into the original Aramaic there would be a treasure trove of wisdom to be found and experienced. Jahanara Mangus has done just that with the prayers and texts surrounding Mother Mary, unveiling much of what is hidden and for that we are profoundly grateful. What a wonderful gift this book is!