The relationship series - Saturn in the first house

In most of the readings I do, I get asked about relationships so I’ve decided to talk a little about one of the placements in the chart that more often than not poses some challenges. And in particular in compatibility readings, I talk about the individual charts first to establish where the challenges for each person lie in the first place before doing the comparison between the two charts. So, in this series, I’ll talk about Saturn in a person’s natal chart and more specifically in the houses 1, 2, 5, 7 and 10. These placements have a direct  impact on relationships and family. This is also quite topical as Saturn is transiting through the same sign as the North node (in Libra) at the moment so his energy is even more potent and many of us are feeling the impact of the combination of these two planets quite profoundly, especially as we are gearing up to the eclipse at the end of April where the two almost opposing energies will be part of the same situation or issue but coming at it from different ends. 

Saturn is the taskmaster of the horoscope and whatever area in the chart he touches, we experience delays, insecurities, even suffering and fears of not having enough or being enough. For example, often people with Saturn in the third house of learning, communication and the mind, have a fear or an insecurity around not knowing enough and therefore may have had some difficulties or limitations in their early school years. However, the key with Saturn is that more often than not, over time and through much trial and error, the house and area of the chart he sits in, is where we become experts. Saturn in said to improve over time with a good deal of experience, distance and neutrality. In astrology, Saturn does not deny but he almost always delays and wants us to work really, really hard on our attitudes, personality, (often negative) expectations and projects. So this also concerns relationships and with difficult Saturn placements, people often experience an uplift after the age of 36 which is when Saturn matures. Things start getting better from then on when realisation slowly sets in and people avoid making the same mistakes – or make them less frequently and with more clarity, conscious decision-making and a realistic attitude included in the process.

Depending on the house Saturn occupies in the natal chart, he has an impact on a certain area in a person’s life and by aspect also a number of others. 

Saturn in the first house

In this position, Saturn initially limits expectations around life goals, however a person with this placement also works systematically toward achieving those goals. After a lot of hard work, someone with Saturn in the first house achieves these goals but not without trial, error and resistance from other people but also from the person himself.

Although this person can come across older and wiser than his age, with a lot of stamina and physical endurance, this person also often withholds some of his personality for fear of appearing inappropriate. In younger years and especially before the age of 36, there is a tendency for this person to have limited or negative expectations concerning material happiness and a happiness with himself. Often, there is a marked fear of not being enough – hence the noticeable strive for bigger and better achievements – and initially, this has a negative impact on the person’s perception of himself and is often dependent on validation from other people.

There is something very sober about these people and often, they are remarkably independent and even isolated – although this may just be their perception. They can turn into workaholic to prove to themselves and others that ‘they can do it’. As a child, often people with this placement where mature beyond their years, very responsible, orderly and felt more comfortable in the company of adults. Even then, the tendency to seek approval from adults in all kinds of situations could have been marked.

So, in this placement, Saturn directly impacts relationships and expectations around marriage and committed partnerships with its direct opposition to the seventh house of committed relationships. The first marriage partner may be older or the first marriage is delayed – however, once the person finds itself in a committed partnership or marriage it is likely to weather even the most sever of storms. 

Any challenges and ultimately, the results also depend on the sign Saturn sits in and how the ruler of that house is Saturn is placed in is doing but generally speaking Saturn’s restricting and limiting impact can be reduced and improved through observation, analysis and most of all awareness – and this takes time. 

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

An example is Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall who has natal Saturn in her first house. The relationship between Camilla and Prince Charles apparently began when they met at a polo match in 1970 but famously went on to marry other people. They remained friends, and renewed their romantic relationship in the late 1970s and late 1980s and it was not until the late 1990s / early 2000s that their relationship was made public. So, although in the end, Camilla got her prince, a large amount of stamina and endurance was required of her. Even when the relationship with Charles became public, it took another approximately seven years until their engagement as announced. After much limitations and trial and error, she eventually ended up in a relationship that’s not only very stable (although her reputation plummeted around the time the relationship was made public, Charles called the relationship ‘non-negotiable’), it also led to higher rank and status – another result of Saturn in this position after much delay and hard work.

However, as an aside, Saturn in the first house may also be responsible for continued controversy about her title once Charles becomes King and the hard work that has gone into softening and improving her image and reputation (Saturn in the first house or personality, aspecting the tenth house of reputation).

If you'd like to know how Saturn impacts your relationships, get in touch!