Mercury stations retrograde on April 20, 1977 at 14° Taurus, and direct on May 13 at 4° Taurus — 23 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.