In Awakening Shakti, Sally Kempton discusses that Shakti is the expression of divine feminine power.  Shakti or this power has five faces which are consciousness, bliss, will, knowledge, and action.

• Consciousness – the power of being in the present
• Bliss – the power of experience natural happiness
• Desire – the power of unstoppable will
• Knowledge – the power of intuitive knowing and self-organization
• Action – the power to do anything

Divine feminine power or Shakti is inherent in all of us (regardless of our gender identity).  It is like an uncut gem.  It is valuable in it’s own right.  When a gemstone is cut, the value is increased.  Facets of a gemstone let light in, reveal brilliance, clarity, strength, and beauty.  The facets illuminate this power.  Each of the faces of Shakti are like those facets of a gemstone.  They help to reveal the immense power, value, uniqueness, and beauty, that resides within us.

She is worth far more than rubies.  -Proverbs 31:10

Do you see these qualities of consciousness, bliss, desire, knowledge, and action in yourself?  Some of these aspects are readily available to us and easy to access, while others may need a little polish.  This can be because we have natural strengths or inclinations to one of these gifts.  Often our natural tendency is to lean into our strengths or obvious gifts, thereby neglecting other areas.  This just means we may need to put a little focus or work into other areas.

A great way to explore these faces of Shakti or aspects of the Goddess is to explore archetypes.  Archetypes personify characteristics and create an example, which allow us to see those characteristics in ourselves and others.  With an example, focus and maybe a little bit of work, we can reveal, develop and nurture these characteristics in ourselves.

Archetypes can be real or imagined figures.  What’s important is that you can connect and relate to them.  So, if you were to assemble a dream team of girl power or goddesses for inspiration, who would you choose?  Here are a few examples that resonate with me:

• Consciousness – Sr. Helen Prejean, Dr. Jane Goodall, Mari Copeny
• Bliss – Shiva Rea, Oprah Winfrey, Ina Garten,
• Desire – Serena Williams, Bethany Hamilton, Helen Keller
• Knowledge – Malala Yousafzai, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Katherine Johnson
• Action – Mother Theresa, Shannon Watts, Coretta Scott King

Once your dream team is assembled you can use them for inspiration and exploration.  Welcome them as part of your intention for meditation, mindfulness or asana practice.  I hope that their example of the feminine divine, of Shakti, of power, help for your power to be revealed and shared.

God may be in the details, but the goddess is in the questions.

Once we begin to ask them, there’s no turning back.

-Gloria Steinem