Mercury stations retrograde on October 1, 2001 at 29° Libra, and direct on October 23 at 14° Libra — 22 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.