ϡ (Sampi) is an archaic Greek letter, originally representing the sound /ss/ or /ks/ in certain dialects, and later used as the numeral 900 in the Greek alphabetic numeral system. Its name derives from the word sampi, possibly meaning 'like a pi' or from the shape of the letter, which resembles a pi with a curved base.

Position on the Tree of Life

ϡ corresponds to Path 31 on the Tree of Life, which is the path of Shin (the Hebrew letter for fire) and the Tarot key The Judgment. This path connects the spheres of Yesod (Foundation) and Malkuth (Kingdom), representing the final stage of spiritual transformation before manifestation.

Astrological and planetary correspondence

In the 777 system, Path 31 is associated with the element of Fire (through Shin) and the planet Pluto in some modern interpretations, but its core astrological link is to the transformative power of fire as a purifying and renewing force.

Historical context

Sampi appears in ancient Greek inscriptions from the 6th century BCE, particularly in the Ionic alphabet of Miletus, where it denoted a double sigma or a sound similar to /ss/. It was later adopted as a numeral in the Greek alphabetic numeral system, where it held the value 900, the highest single-letter numeral. In the medieval period, Sampi was used in alchemical texts as a symbol for the philosopher's stone or the final stage of the Great Work, representing the culmination of processes. In Kabbalistic traditions, the letter Shin (which Sampi corresponds to on the Tree of Life) is associated with the threefold flame of divine spirit and the power of transformation, making Sampi a fitting symbol for the ultimate synthesis of opposites.

In Liber 777, ϡ appears at step 31 (Path 31) in the Greek Alphabet row, where it is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew letter Shin. This placement underscores its role as a symbol of completion and the fiery path that leads from the foundation of Yesod to the material world of Malkuth.