*x is a 'level higher' than \$x in the internal structure of the symbol table.

Very close. *x is a glob, a variable (storage location) of type PVGV. It knows what its own name and package are, and holds a value, a GP. The GP is the value that is copied with assignments like *foo = *bar. The GP holds all the various possible types (SV, AV, HV, CV, PVIO, etc.).