Mercury stations retrograde on August 22, 1977 at 20° Virgo, and direct on September 14 at 6° Virgo — 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.