I feel like it would depend on the signs the planets are in. Saturn could be very grounding or serve as helping to direct the Mars energy. 

Thanks allie, you've given me something to think about! Hadn't really considered the signs.

My Saturn was opposite an ex's Mars. Although there was a lot of love between us we seemed to end up hurting each other very much. It was a destructive relationship. At least we seemed to grow and mature after it ended.

In current relationship my Saturn squares partners Mars. It's a very challenging relationship. 

Maybe it all depends on the maturity of the partners.

Oh that’s a good point, too: the maturity of each person! 

Always something to consider and always a chance to grow. 

I hope you can find some light in your current relationship ❤️

I have Mars square Saturn natally, and it must have its own gravitational force field or something because I often attract people whose Mars is on my Saturn, activating this square for me. If it's not their Mars it's usually another personal planet. And it's always the same.. starts out relatively benign and even enthusiastic, and then turns to misunderstanding, feeling lack of appreciation, or worse, lack of respect. 

My ex-boyfriend, my ex-best friend, and currently my 2 immediate bosses have Mars in Sagittarius exact conjunct my Saturn. 

The main challenge seems to be in lack of appreciation or respect one experiences for their efforts, boundaries, or work ethic by the other.

These planets are naturally challenging to one another because in essence one is fast, instinctive and risk-taking, and the other is slow, calculating and risk-averse. They have the potential to be a positive influence on one another, but there has to be an openness and mutual respect to allow that influence. If someone is very set in their ways, they may not be open to such an opposite way of going about things and experience is at a challenge instead, resulting in frustration… which is a feeling this aspect is known for. 

Thanks for sharing your experience strawb.

What you wrote about the possibility of being a positive influence on each other is very encouraging. Perhaps in my relationships that openness and mutual respect you described just hasn't been there. Well, you have given me something to think about.