Mercury stations retrograde on January 24, 1949 at 20° Aquarius, and direct on February 14 at 4° Aquarius — 21 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.