The main three aspects of Brahman, or this Universal Consciousness are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - the Trinity of Hinduism. Brahma is the creative aspect. Vishnu is the protecting, sustaining aspect. And Shiva is the transforming, dissolving aspect. Consciousness, when it manifests itself, is conceived to have a force.
Manifestation is, after all, an expression of power.
The forces, manifestations of the Trinity, are known as their Shakti, power. Also worshipped as the consorts of the Trinity. These shaktis are worshipped independently as Goddesses, too. In the earliest form of religion, they were all considered as only One. Later, when it became difficult to conceive the totality of Universal Consciousness, these universal forces were personified.