Astrology Week of Sept 28: Mars in Leo, Venus Turns Retrograde
Mars marches into Leo, Mercury turns deep and investigative in Scorpio, and Venus stations retrograde on October 4 — here's what each shift means for you.
This week opens with a jolt: Monday, September 28, Mars strides into Leo to join Jupiter there, and the Sun's trine to both Uranus and Pluto gives the first days a genuine spark of courage and clarity. By Wednesday, September 30, Mercury follows the Sun's lead out of tactful Libra and into Scorpio, turning conversation more probing and less polite. Then, on Sunday, October 4, Venus turns retrograde in Scorpio, asking you to slow down and reconsider love, money, and desire rather than push forward. Action first, then reflection — that's the shape of this week.
Three shifts, one current
Three real shifts define these seven days. Mars enters Leo on Monday, September 28, joining Jupiter there and doubling down on boldness and self-expression. Mercury follows on Wednesday, September 30, trading Libra's diplomacy for Scorpio's appetite for depth, so conversations turn more probing and less small-talk. Then Venus, already sitting in Scorpio, turns retrograde on Sunday, October 4. Running underneath all three is a quieter thread: Uranus and Pluto sit in a supportive trine to each other, with Neptune sextile Pluto besides, so change this week tends to feel less chaotic and more like a door quietly opening.
Monday's spark: the week's best day
If one day deserves your boldest move, it's Monday. Mars steps into Leo right as the Sun trines both Uranus and Pluto, a combination that favors decisive, authentic action over hesitation — pitch the idea, make the call, wear the thing you almost didn't buy. The one wrinkle: the Moon opposes Mercury and squares Mars earlier in the day, so words can come out sharper than intended before the bigger picture kicks in. Say less before lunch, act more after.
Sunday's pause: the week's delicate day
The week's more delicate moment lands on Sunday, October 4, when Venus turns retrograde in Scorpio. This isn't a day for new declarations of love, big purchases, or forcing a decision about a relationship or joint money — Venus retrograde asks you to look backward before you leap forward. An old attraction might resurface, a financial arrangement might need a second look, or a desire you thought you'd settled could come back for reconsideration. Let it. The review period that follows rewards patience over speed.
How to work with the week
Treat the week as two halves. Early on, ride the Mars-Jupiter energy in Leo toward one bold, visible action — the kind you'd normally talk yourself out of. As Mercury settles into Scorpio, use its sharper focus for research, budgeting, or a conversation that needs real honesty rather than pleasantries. Once Venus turns retrograde Sunday, shift into review mode for anything touching love or money: revisit a draft, reread a contract, or have the conversation that circles back to something unfinished, rather than signing off on something brand new.
Sign by sign
Mars just crossed into your fifth house, sparking romance, creative sparks, and the urge to be seen — a great week to pitch that project or make the first move. Mercury and Venus are gathering in your eighth house, and with Venus turning retrograde on October 4, hold off on merging finances or forcing an intimacy conversation. Revisit instead of resolve.
Home base feels like the place to invest energy now, with Mars firing up your fourth house — good week for a repair project, a family visit, or finally rearranging the living room. Meanwhile Mercury slides into your seventh house of partnership just as Venus stations retrograde there on October 4: a conversation with a partner may need a slower, more honest pace than usual.
Conversations pick up speed this week as Mars charges through your third house — texts, pitches, quick trips, all favored, especially early on. Mercury's move into your sixth house of work and routine turns your attention to health habits and daily systems, and since Venus turns retrograde there October 4, this is a week to fine-tune a routine rather than overhaul it completely.
Your sense of worth gets a boost as Mars moves through your second house, making this a strong week to ask for what you're owed or price your work with confidence. Romance and creative projects sit in your fifth house, where Mercury now digs deeper and Venus turns retrograde October 4 — a sign to slow down before declaring your heart's next move.
This one's personal: Mars enters your own sign, sharpening your drive, your presence, your appetite for a challenge — use the momentum to start something rather than wait for permission. Mercury moves into your fourth house of home and roots, and with Venus turning retrograde there on October 4, a family or property matter may ask you to revisit rather than finalize.
Rest becomes the smart move this week, since Mars is passing through your twelfth house of retreat and behind-the-scenes work — good time to close a loop quietly rather than push publicly. Mercury's shift into your third house sharpens your thinking and conversations, though Venus turning retrograde there October 4 suggests double-checking a message or contract before you send it.
Your social circle gets more active as Mars energizes your eleventh house of friends and future plans — a good week to say yes to a group project or reconnect with your community. Money matters sit in your second house, where Mercury turns analytical and Venus stations retrograde on October 4: pause before a big purchase and reread the fine print twice.
Everything this week centers on you: Mars lights up your career house, pushing you toward a bolder, more visible move at work, while Mercury and Venus both settle into your own sign. Venus turning retrograde right in your first house on October 4 makes this a moment to reconsider how you want to show up, not to change your look or plans on impulse.
Big ideas want room to breathe this week, with Mars firing up your ninth house of travel, study, and belief — a strong stretch for booking that trip or committing to a course. Mercury slips into your twelfth house of rest and inner work, and since Venus turns retrograde there October 4, let a private matter simmer instead of forcing a resolution.
Shared resources take center stage as Mars heats up your eighth house — a good week to negotiate a raise, a loan, or a joint investment with more confidence than usual. Mercury moves into your eleventh house of friends and goals, but with Venus turning retrograde there on October 4, hold off on a group commitment until people have said what they really mean.
Partnerships get a jolt of energy as Mars moves through your seventh house, making this a lively week to plan something with a partner or push a collaboration forward. Mercury's shift into your tenth house sharpens your career instincts, though with Venus turning retrograde there on October 4, it's wiser to gather information about a reputation matter than to act on it yet.
Work rhythms shift into a higher gear as Mars energizes your sixth house — a productive week to tackle a backlog or reset a dragging routine. Mercury heads into your ninth house of travel and big ideas, and with Venus turning retrograde there on October 4, a trip or belief you're reconsidering deserves more thought before you book it or say it out loud.
Questions
What does it mean when Mars enters Leo?
Mars in Leo brings more confidence, energy, and appetite for recognition to whatever house Leo rules in your chart. Paired with Jupiter, already there since summer, this transit — which began September 28 — amplifies boldness even more than usual. It's a strong stretch for starting projects, asking for what you want, and acting like you believe in yourself, as long as you watch for impatience.
Why is Venus turning retrograde on October 4 such a big deal?
Venus retrograde happens roughly every eighteen months and always touches love, money, and self-worth — this time in Scorpio, so the theme leans toward intimacy, trust, and shared resources. From October 4 through the following weeks, it's wiser to review existing relationships and finances than to start new ones. Old flames, old debts, or old desires may resurface for a second look.
Is this a good week to start something new?
Yes, but pick your moment carefully. Monday, September 28, when Mars enters Leo alongside a supportive Sun-Uranus-Pluto trine, is the week's most favorable day for bold action or a fresh start. By the time Venus turns retrograde on Sunday, October 4, shift from starting to reviewing, especially for anything involving love, money, or a close relationship — that energy favors reconsideration, not launches.