My grandfather, who was a Hoosier farmer until my mom was in sixth grade, always knows when the solstice is here — and points it out. His mother, a Hoosier farmer's wife, used to determine when to plant the crops by reading the moon and stars.
It seems to me that one of the good things Wiccans have added to our society is a reminder of the seasons and the cycles of nature. Wicca is appealing for those of us who live indoors and work in cubicles, because it helps us connect to nature in ways that were second-nature to our ancestors.
When I remember the solstices, I feel I'm honoring my Hoosier grandfather and his mother.
This solstice, in particular, is my favorite, because it means the darkness is ending. The days will be getting longer. In Christian terms, the Light is coming into the world.