So many of us care dearly about the wellness of our beloved Mother Earth, and so many of us deplore war in all forms and constantly wish for peace. But we don’t often talk about the grievous harm war does to our planet. Today is a day for both concerns: the United Nations named today the World Day to Protect the Environment in War. (Its technical but less catchy name is the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict.)

Today, light a blue or white candle for Eirene, the Greek goddess of peace. In addition to being the embodiment of peace, she has an earthy aspect, as she is often pictured with a cornucopia, ears of corn, or the baby Plutus (the divine child of the Eleusinian mysteries), indicating that with peace comes the ability to tend to the earth, and therefore prosperity for all. (Be sure to extinguish the candle.)