Mercury stations retrograde on January 23, 1982 at 18° Aquarius, and direct on February 13 at 2° Aquarius — 21 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.