Mercury stations retrograde on April 18, 2010 at 12° Taurus, and direct on May 11 at 2° Taurus — 23 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.