Mercury stations retrograde on August 12, 1971 at 10° Virgo, and direct on September 5 at 27° Leo — 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.