Mercury stations retrograde on July 12, 1999 at 9° Leo, and direct on August 6 at 28° Cancer — 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.