Mercury stations retrograde on May 6, 1963 at 0° Gemini, and direct on May 30 at 21° Taurus — 24 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.