Nuwa Mends the Sky
Neutral
The poem
Original: 昔然行船失了针 / 今朝依旧海中寻 / 若然寻得原针在 / 也费工夫也费心
The story
In high antiquity the pillars of heaven broke, the sky collapsed and the earth split open, and floods and beasts destroyed the people. Nuwa smelted stones of five colours to patch the sky, cut the legs of a great turtle to prop up its four corners, killed the black dragon, and heaped up reed ash to stop the flood. Only then was the world safe again.
What it means
The image is of looking for a needle in the sea, and the work is out of all proportion to the result. It does not say the thing is impossible, only that the cost is too high. Blessing is the ground of fortune and fortune the seed of blessing; the reasoning is plain, and everything depends on whether you can be careful. Unless this recovery is genuinely necessary, put down what was lost and make a fresh plan going forward instead.
By area of life
Wealth
There is profit to be had, but only for a great deal of effort. Weigh what you must put in against what you will get.
Love
This match does not fit. Trying to recover an old attachment is a needle in the sea, much effort for very little.
Work
There are small difficulties on the road. Keep going and you will reach the new situation, though the process is wearing.
Health
Treatment means a lot of running about. A settled mind settles the body, so calm yourself as well as following the doctor.
Travel
There are minor obstructions on the way. Keep up your devotions, go steadily, and you will pass through the journey safely.
Advice
Before you dive for the lost needle, work out whether it is worth the sea.