Mercury stations retrograde on August 17, 1997 at 16° Virgo, and direct on September 10 at 2° Virgo — 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.