In Hinduism, Shakti is an aspect of Devi, and a personification of
God as the Divine Mother who represents the active, dynamic principles of feminine power.
In Shaktiism, Shakti is worshiped as the Supreme Being.
Specifically, Shakti means power, force and feminine energy. She represents
the fundamental creative instinct underlying the cosmos, and is the energizing force of all
divinity, of every being and every thing. Devotees believe the whole universe to be a
manifestation of Shakti, who is also known by her general name Devi, from the Sanskrit
root 'div' which means 'to shine.'
Renata's professional resume includes dancing for Cirque Noveau at the River East
Arts Center in Chicago, Pazzo's in the NBC Tower, the Woodridge Cultural Festival and Prairiefest,
the Sphinx, numerous haflas (Arabic dance parties) and 'Goddess Parties'.
"One reason I stopped dancing professionally is because I didn't
feel the majority of my audiences recognized the Goddess element of the Dance. I now only dance
at Goddess Parties or cultural festivals. I think the Pagan Pride sounds like the
perfect place to dance! My teacher is a follower of Isis, and I'd like to honor that lineage of
devoting the Dance to the Goddess."
