Mercury stations retrograde on January 4, 1924 at 28° Capricorn, and direct on January 24 at 12° Capricorn — 20 days. From the Earth, Mercury seems to back up against the stars as we overtake it, as a car passed on the highway seems to slide backward. Astrology holds it a time for crossed wires and delays. Computed from JPL's approximate orbits; the stations agree with an almanac's to within minutes.