Mercury stations retrograde on May 12, 1989 at 6° Gemini, and direct on June 5 at 28° Taurus — 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.