Devi Shailaputri. After Her self-immolation in Her incarnation as Sati, Para-Shakti took birth as Parvati, the daughter of the Himalaya. In Sanskrit shaila means mountain, due to which the Goddess is known as Shailaputri, the daughter of the mountain. She is visualized as riding the bull Nandi and holding a trident and lotus. She wears the crescent moon in Her hair. She resides within our body at the base of spine (muladhara chakra), rules the earth element (prithvi-tattva) and the moon (Chandra). She is invoked on the first day of Navaratri (pratima tithi). Her blessings inspire us to begin our spiritual journey and give us encouragement along the way.

Devi Kushmanda.  Ku means small or little, ushma means warmth and anda means egg. Kushmanda is the form of Para-Shakti that gave birth to the universe as a small cosmic egg. She is visualized as riding the lion of dharma and carrying a pot of honey, a pot of blood and various divine weapons in Her eight hands. She resides in our body in the heart center (anahata chakra), rules the air element (vayu-tattva) and the Sun (Surya). She is invoked and worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri (chaturthi tithi). Through Her blessings one is freed from ailments and attains pleasure and prosperity. Her grace purifies us and fills us with grace, granting us commitment to our sadhana.

Devi Skandamata. Skandamata is the mother of Skanda, who leads the gods in battle against the demons. She is the loving Mother Goddess who nourishes us and nurtures our spiritual path. She is visualized as seated on a lion, holding two lotuses and with Her son, the six-faced Skanda, on Her lap. She resides in our body in the throat center (vishuddha chakra), rules the space element (akash-tattva) and the planet Mercury (Budha). She is invoked and worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri (Lalita Panchami). To those who worship Her with complete concentration She grants power, prosperity and spiritual victory.

Devi Katyayani. Katyayani is the incarnation of Durga who took birth as the daughter of Sage Katyayana. She then went on to kill the demon Mahisha. She is the combined radiance of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Her Shakti-Peetham is in Vrindavan and She was worshipped by gopis of Vraja to attain Sri Krishna as their husband. She is visualized as riding on an exquisite lion and holding a sword. She resides in the body in the forehead center (ajna chakra) and rules the mind (manas) and the planet Jupiter (Brihaspati). She is invoked on the sixth day of Navaratri (shasti tithi). Her worship destroys sins and grants the four goals of life (dharma, kama, artha, moksha). Her grace liberates one from fear, destroys inner demons and purifies the mind.

Devi Kalaratri. Kalaratri means the Dark Night or Night of Death. She is the dark and violent aspect of Durga, a stark manifestation of Goddess Kali. In order to kill the demons Shumba and Nishumba, Durga removed Her golden exterior and appeared in Her primal form as Kalaratri. As we progress along our spiritual path, we come to point where our ego digs in, refusing to budge and the Divine seems further away than ever. Kalaratri sees us through this troubling time. She is visualized as naked, riding a donkey, carrying a sword and skeletal lightning-bolt, and with hands in mudras that grant boons and liberate one from fear. She dwells at the top of the head (sahasrasara chakra), where name and form are transcended. She rules the planet Saturn (Shani). She is invoked and honored on the seventh day of Navaratri (Saraswati Saptami). Her worship destroys demons, ghosts and black magic and Her grace allows us to experience the dark radiance of non-dual Reality.

Devi Mahagauri. Mahagauri is the Great Radiant Light. They say that it is darkest just before the dawn, and sure enough, the dark night of Kalaratri is followed by the shining brilliance of Mahagauri. Parvati is known as Kali because of Her dark complexion. After severe penance She bathed in the celestial waters of Lake Manasarovar and emerged fair as the moon, the color of conch or kunda flowers. Mahagauri literally means very white, and refers to shuddha sattva, transcendent purity, untainted by the qualities of material nature. She is visualized as having fair complexion, wearing a white sari, riding the white bull Nandi and carrying a trident and damaru-durm. She shows the mudras of granting boons and fearlessness. As the consort of Lord Shiva, She dwells in celestial Kailash, far above the crown chakra. She rules the planet Rahu. She is invoked and worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri (Durga Ashtami). Her worship burns all sins and impurities, leaving only the white ash so dear to Shiva and His devotees. The auspicious Mahagauri rains subtle blessings upon Her devotees.

Devi Siddhidatri. Siddhidatri represents the culmination of our spiritual journey — the attainment of perfection. Siddhi can mean mystical power, attainment, or perfection. Siddhidatri is the giver of all possible siddhis. She is visualized as seated upon a lotus, holding mace, discus, conch and lotus and surrounded by siddhas, gandharvas, yakshas, sages, demons and gods — all worshipping Her as per their level of understanding. She rules the planet Ketu. She is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri (Maha-Navami). By Her grace root ignorance can be removed, revealing the knowledge of Brahman. Her blessings lead to the ultimate perfection, the realization that only She exists. It is She whom all seek.