One thing I quite like, when dealing with magic in fiction, is when magic is explained as being symbolic first and foremost.
For example how potions are made in the Dresden Files - the seemingly nonsensical Macbeth-styled ingredients are meant to each reflect or symbolize the intended effect of the potion. Or this first law of magic we are told about in Circle of Magic: why is blood such a potent and efficient ingredient in magic rituals? Because blood is the most obvious and evident symbol of life, and thus brings to magical processes pure life-force.
Sometimes it is played very well and woven in an interesting way in the worldbuilding, even justifying some seemingly "backward" fantasy cliche - the "Sword of Shannara" book is a prime example of this. "We actually fucked up because while we wanted to entrust the evil-defeating sword to the free people, we made the mistake of giving it to a king, and since magic relies on belief rather than logical facts, we accidentaly bonded the sword to a specific royal bloodline, because when dealing with magical items symbols overtake the intent".
