Also called Nit, Net, Lady of Sais, Mother of Ra.
Their story
Neith is one of the oldest goddesses, known from the First Dynasty, and her centre was Sais in the Delta. At Esna in Graeco-Roman times she is described as a creator who emerged from the waters, made the world and gave birth to Ra, while the spittle she spat out became the serpent Apep. In The Contendings of Horus and Seth the gods write to her for advice, and she firmly tells them to give the throne to Horus. Plutarch records an inscription at Sais in which she says that no mortal has ever lifted her robe.
Best times to give to them
- Feast of Lamps at Sais
- nightfall with lamps
- Wepet Renpet
What they like being given
- oil lamps or candles
- woven cloth or thread
- bread
- water
- incense
How to honour them
- Light lamps in her honour, in memory of the night-long Feast of Lamps described by Herodotus.
- Weave, knit or spin as an act of devotion.
- Ask her for sound judgement when you must decide between two sides.
How they can help you
- wisdom and fair decisions
- protection
- creative work with thread
- independence
Symbols
- crossed arrows and shield
- bow
- Red Crown
- shuttle
- cow
Sais became the royal capital in the Twenty-sixth Dynasty, which greatly raised her importance in the Late Period.
Sources
- Esna temple inscriptions
- Herodotus, Histories 2.62
- Plutarch, De Iside et Osiride 9
- The Contendings of Horus and Seth (Papyrus Chester Beatty I)
More Egyptian goddesses
- Isis Great of Magic, mother of Horus
- Bastet Protector of the home, lady of joy
- Hathor The Golden One, lady of love and music
- Sekhmet The Powerful One, healer and protector
- Maat Truth, balance and right order
- Nephthys Lady of the House, comforter of the grieving
- Taweret The Great One, guardian of mothers
- Amunet The hidden goddess of the primordial eight