Elphyne & Co
Today, I am drawn to a story as ancient as the hills, whispered by the leaves and echoed by the rivers; a tale of finding the sacred in the everyday.
This is the story of Dea, the creator behind Elphyne & Co., a brand born from a love affair with the earth, a belief in magic, and a desire to reconnect us all with the harmony of the natural world.
Narrated by someone special. The Narrator is revealed within the publication.
Photography by Danniella Jaine
Dea Isidora Daly
Elphyne & Co. was born from a simple truth Dea had always carried with her: nature is not something outside of us; it is us. She grew up surrounded by the green breath of woodlands, the shimmering secrets of freshwater springs, the quiet whispers of wildflowers.
To Dea, these were not just landscapes—they were living, breathing beings with voices and stories of their own. As a child, she felt the presence of the fae in the rustling leaves, the glint of sunlight on water, the silent shadows that danced at the edge of her vision.
As she grew, this connection deepened, pulling her into the ancient songs of folklore and the rich canvas of Celtic mythology.
Years later, standing among the sacred groves of Avalon Academy, Dea found herself guiding others, teaching them to see the world as she did—not with their eyes alone but with their hearts. The academy’s workshops were doorways to the mystical—an invitation to step beyond the veil and into the embrace of the natural world.
Here, in the dappled light of the hedgerows, with the scent of wild herbs filling the air, students learned to forage, craft essences, and cook with the gifts of the land. These experiences reawakened senses dulled by the noise of modern life, reminding participants what it felt like to touch, taste, and listen to the earth. The otherworldly experiences whispered of deeper truths, urging Dea to create something lasting that would bring this magic into everyday life. And so, the seeds of Elphyne & Co. took root, nurtured by the soil of ancient wisdom and the light of new dreams.
The name “Elphyne” carries with it the breath of mystery, evoking the land of the fae—a realm where the everyday and the enchanted blur, where the boundaries between our world and the otherworld are as thin as a sigh. For some, Elphyne is a physical place, hidden in the folds of ancient forests, accessible only through the sacred gateways of nature. For others, it is a spiritual landscape, a dimension of perception that blooms when one is attuned to the heartbeat of the earth.
For Dea, Elphyne is both—a wellspring of inspiration, a guiding star that shapes every perfume and tincture, every tea and essence created in her apothecary. Each product is more than just a fragrance or a flavor; it is an invitation to step into the magic, to feel the presence of the fae and the ancient spirits of the land.
Dea’s creative process is a dance with the unseen. In the apothecary, her hands move with purpose, guided by the whispers of plant spirits and the teachings of folk medicine. Each ingredient is chosen with care and harvested with reverence, as if she were gathering the very essence of the fae.
One perfume, Alseides, captures the soul of woodland groves, a fragrant tribute to the nymphs that dwell among the trees. To create it, she ventured into the heart of ancient forests, where the air is thick with moss and mystery, where every leaf carries a secret. She listened to the songs of the wind through the branches, felt the pulse of the earth beneath her feet, and distilled these experiences into a scent that breathes with the life of the woods.
Another creation, Aine, is a perfume woven from the petals of wild roses and the lore of the Celtic goddess of love. The inspiration came during a visit to Knock Aine in Co. Limerick, where Dea wandered through rows of fragrant roses, the air alive with the presence of the fae.
As she meditated on the myth of Aine, the scent of roses filled her senses, blending with the warmth of the sun and the whisper of the wind—a perfume that spoke of love and summer dreams. Each drop of Aine is a memory captured in a bottle—a piece of the ancient world offered to those who seek to carry its magic with them.
But it is not only in perfumes that Dea finds joy. The creation of healing teas brings her a deep sense of connection and purpose. Midsummer Blue Tea, with its vibrant color that shifts from blue to purple with a splash of lemon juice, is a reminder of the playfulness and beauty that nature offers. It is more than a drink—it is an experience, a celebration of creativity and calm. Dandelion and Burdock, on the other hand, is a quiet homage to the everyday magic of plants, a blend that offers the comforting warmth of coffee while nurturing the body with the healing properties of dandelion and burdock roots.
What makes Elphyne & Co. truly special is not just the products themselves, but the way they are crafted—with mindfulness, with love, with a deep respect for the natural world. Her commitment to sustainable and gentle harvesting practices reflects her belief that how we interact with nature matters, that every choice we make has a ripple effect. Her ingredients are wildcrafted, her methods traditional, ensuring that each product is as kind to the earth as it is to the skin. Elphyne is a reminder that we are part of the earth’s story, that what we consume should reflect our values and our connection to the natural world.
Dea’s vision for Elphyne & Co. is rooted in a desire to inspire a shift in how we live. She dreams of a world where people remember that they are part of nature, where the use of herbal medicine and natural scents becomes as common as the wind in the trees. She believes that true change comes not only from actions but from the heart—from a spiritual awakening that sees nature as a partner, a guide, and a friend. In every tea, in every perfume, Dea offers a chance to reconnect, to find harmony in the chaos, to hear the ancient stories whispered by the leaves, and to remember the magic that lives in every breath of wind.
Her creations are a bridge to the faery world, a song of the earth that invites us to slow down, to breathe, to feel. They are a call to live mindfully, to honor the delicate balance that sustains us, and to find joy in the simple, sacred moments that weave together the fabric of life. In every bottle, in every cup, the heartbeat of the earth sings, inviting us to dance once more to the rhythm of nature.
The full story appears in our Nature’s Rhythm special >>