The Magus of Mexico is the first critical anthology to explore the important aspects of Malcom Lowry's work. Helen Tookey evokes Under the Volcano with the help of Tarot imagery, Mark Goodall looks at Lowry's use of alcohol as a magical practice, James Riley considers the book in the context of shamanism, and Michael Romer studies Lowry's links to Aleister Crowley. Adriana Díaz Enciso explores Dark As the Grave Wherein My Friend is Laid, a sequel to Volcano, and its handling of the themes of friendship and returning. Jonathan Wood offers a 'meditative semi-fiction' on Lowry's fascination with the sea, Mark Valentine's essay looks at Lowry's interest in supernatural fiction in his story Elephant and Coliseum, and John Howard discusses landscape mysticism in the story The Forest Path to the Spring. Finally, the late John Hyatt recalls his own acts of art-magic in response to Volcano and other work.