The word "Sowins" is pronounced /ˈsoʊɪnz/ and is an alternate spelling of the word "Samhain," a Celtic festival celebrated on November 1st. The spelling "Sowins" reflects the traditional Gaelic pronunciation of the word, which has been transliterated in various ways over time. The festival marks the end of harvest season and the beginning of the dark time of the year, when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is said to be thin.