When The Storms of Life Become About a Cocktail
I never thought my life could be summed up by a cocktail, but then I encountered a drink called “Dark and Stormy.”
If you’ve never had one, let me break it down for you: this drink is a simple yet profound blend of dark rum and ginger beer, with a squeeze of lime. It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, with a dark, brooding edge and a fizzy kick that sneaks up on you like a cosmic punchline.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that my journey as "The Chocolate Taoist" is pretty much a Dark and Stormy in a glass.
The rum—dark, rich, and mysterious—is like the Tao itself — unknowable, unpredictable, and deeper than any of us can fathom. It reflects the depth of my explorations into the Taoist and Stoic philosophies, my attempts to wrestle meaning from the chaos, and my embrace of life’s mysteries.
The ginger beer, with its sharp and spicy bite, represents the spark, the energy, the unpredictable lightning bolt moments that jolt us into awareness, much like those unexpected twists life loves to throw our way.
And the lime? Well, that’s the zesty, refreshing twist of humor I like to add to keep things interesting, especially when the storm clouds gather.
From a cosmological standpoint, a Dark and Stormy cocktail perfectly captures the yin and yang of existence—the balance between the dark, heavy rum and the bright, effervescent ginger beer. It’s a metaphor for navigating the swirling currents of life, where moments of darkness and intensity blend with lightness and fizz, creating something more than the sum of its parts.
The I Ching, the ancient Taoist oracle, would likely look at a Dark and Stormy and say, "Ah, here is the essence of Hexagram 40, 'Deliverance.'" Life is often like a tempestuous sea; you’ve got to ride those waves, not fight them, and sometimes a good drink helps you surrender to the flow.
As Edward Slingerland reveals in his book “Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization,” even the ancient Taoist masters understood the importance of a good drink in navigating the paradoxes of life. They knew that alcohol, in moderation, could help loosen the rigid hold of the conscious mind, allowing for spontaneity, creativity, and connection to the deeper mysteries of existence.
The Tao isn’t about rigid control; it’s about letting go, flowing with what is, and sometimes that means embracing the revelry of a Dark and Stormy night. It’s in these moments of loosened boundaries and softened edges that we glimpse the profound wisdom of being both “in the world” and not “of the world.”
So, what does the I Ching have to say about weathering the Dark and Stormy periods of our lives? Here are five Taoist-inspired takes on how to navigate those turbulent waters:
💥 Hexagram 29: The Abyss (Kan): When facing a Dark and Stormy time, remember that life is like a deep, dangerous gorge. The key is not to fear the darkness or get stuck in the turbulence. Instead, keep moving, flowing like water, and embrace the unknown. The only way out is through, and fear is just another wave in the churning sea.
💥 Hexagram 3: Difficulty at the Beginning (Tun): Life can feel chaotic and overwhelming, especially when things start to get rough. But every storm has a beginning, and often, it’s messy. Accept that beginnings are always challenging, and don't try to force clarity in the midst of confusion. Let the storm settle, and from the chaos, new patterns will emerge.
💥 Hexagram 43: Breakthrough (Kuai): Sometimes, a storm forces a breakthrough. When the pressure builds, it’s time to take decisive action. The I Ching teaches that in these moments, clarity and courage are essential. Push forward with the force of a hurricane to clear the path of any lingering doubts or debris.
💥 Hexagram 24: Return (Fu): No storm lasts forever. The I Ching tells us to look for the signs of renewal and return after the storm has passed. It’s the moment of calm after the storm, where the soul returns to itself, and the world seems fresh, vibrant, and full of potential again. After a Dark and Stormy night, there’s always dawn.
💥 Hexagram 36: Darkening of the Light (Ming Yi): Sometimes, in a Dark and Stormy phase, you have to protect your inner light. This hexagram advises discretion and patience. When the external world becomes too overwhelming, turn inward. Cultivate your own inner wisdom and strength until the storm passes, and you can shine freely again.
In the grand Taoist tradition, we learn to see life’s chaos as part of its beauty. We learn to find humor in the absurdity of our attempts to control what cannot be controlled. And like the masters of old, we learn that sometimes, in the right measure, a drink like a Dark and Stormy can be a reminder that life is meant to be experienced fully, with all its sweetness, spice, darkness, and light.
So, when the storms roll in, remember to sip your drink slowly, savor the moment, and, above all, don’t forget to laugh at the cosmic joke. The universe is vast, the journey is wild, and in the end, it’s all just another twist of lime.
Diamond-Michael Scott here, aka, “The Chocolate Taoist,” here with a quick request asking if you would be kind enough to consider becoming a paid member supporter.
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Diamond-Michael, your mind is so crammed with interesting reflections. I've been drinking Dark and Stormies since I was first presented with one upon arrival in Bermuda in the mid '00s. They are delicious, but also "drink for thought," evidently. Amazingly, I have a post about cocktails today, too: What if mocktails are actually mocking us? See you in the bar!
As a committed teetotaler, now I’m wondering how the iChing would interpret Shirley Temples. I have a copy of the iChing but still do not yet know enough how to use it. Maybe at some future point you will teach me. Point me to a post of yours if indeed you have written how you use the iChing.