Neit
Etymology:
Neit comes from Proto-Celtic Nei-t meaning 'Fighting' and 'Passion'
Linked to Neit-s meaning 'Warrior' or 'Hero'
Also written as Net
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His titles are as follows:
Son of Indui
Surly of Temper
The Stranger
Dangerous
He of the Long Weapon
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King of the North Country
Lord of Horse-Breeding People
(These two may refer to Indui, inonclusive)
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Family:
Neit is variously desribed as the uncle of An Dagda, son of Elatha, but also as the grandfather of Elatha through his supposed son Delbaeth. He is also described as the grandfather of Balor and therefore great grandfather of Lugh through his son Dot.
His father seems to be Indui given his Patronym, however his mother is currently unknown. His brother could be listed as Midir, although this connection between the two and Indui is contentious.
His wives are named as Nemain and Fea and Badb. Although no further immediate family are noted.
Literary References:
Neit is scarcely mentioned in the mythic cycles, his name is mostly used in the name of other figures lineage in the mythology such as Balor. He takes a direct part in the Dindsenchas of Ailech where it seems the structure is dedicated to him and his wife Nemain, they are both described as dwelling there.
In the Sanas Cormac, Neit is listed as 'A god of war with the pagans of the Gael' confirming his placement in the pantheon of the Pagan Irish.
Cognate:
Neit seems to be connected to the Celtiberian Neto/Neton/Neito who was interpretoed as Mars Neto. According to Macrobius in his Saturnalia this figure was also distinctly connected to the Sun and he describes the Idol of Neton as having been 'adorned with rays' by the Accitani.
Function:
It appears that Neit functioned as one of the many Celtic War gods. This is confirmed by his connection to the War goddesses Nemain and Badb but also by Netons connection to Mars. As such it is likely he would've been called upon or offered sacrifices to, perhaps at Ailech, by soldiers before heading off to war or battle.
However his other function seems to be that of the Solar Hero, this given the connection between *Neit-o and *Neit-s in the Proto-Celtic language, perhaps in some way helping legendary figures or because he featured in a lost cycle of his own.
His solar aspect is not only directly confirmed by the Celtiberian idol of Neton but also perhaps by his title of Horse Breeding People, which could refer to the Eques of Caesars account but also perhaps to a solar horse of some kind. It may also hint towards him being a god of chariots or cavalary, much akin to Epona to the Gallo-Romans.
His characterisation as Dangerous and Ill-Tempered is also of note, it may refer to his domain over conflict or perhaps the issues of the god himself. Maybe calling upon him would bring Badb and Nemain, who sow terror on the battlefield on both sides or that the god himself is violent and not safe to call upon, although this doesn't answer why he would be so popular that Cormac could remember him years later.
Overall, his function seems to be that of a war god, called upon during conflict and that rites for him were most likely done in Ailech which is where he was rumoured to dwell with Nemain.
Iconography:
No direct description of Neit Survives, however one can glean the following from his function and epithets:
He was likely thought of as being equipped for battle and with a decapitated head, given his association with Warfare and maybe conceived with blonde hair because of his solar attributes and because many Tuatha are described as Blonde.
His epithet of the Long Weapon, likely refers to a spear and given both his solar connections and his epithet he was also likely associated with horses. Finally it is appropriate to depict him with the rays described by Macrobius on the Accitani Neton.
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Art:
No art of Neit has currently been submitted to the Society.
Sources and Further Reading:
Metircal Dindsenchas 22; Ailech 1
Metrical Dindsenchas 26: Mag Feman, Mag Fera, Mag Fea,
Metircal Dindsenchas 24: Ailech 3
Macrobius: Saturnalia 1:19:5