Mercury stations retrograde on December 23, 1996 at 19° Capricorn, and direct on January 12 at 2° Capricorn — 20 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.