Mercury stations retrograde on July 17, 1979 at 14° Leo, and direct on August 11 at 3° Leo — 25 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.