Thank you for your reply.
How can I reliably find out they are who they say they are?
They have told me four of they're names. Out of the blue I kept thinking of a name over and over again, after I first started speaking to them. I asked if this is the name of the spirit I've been speaking to and they said yes. This is the main one I talk to, I ask for him when I start. I got given another three names the same way, one it said is my grandfathers spirit name.
How do you communicate with spirits? I currently only use a pendulum, so can only get yes/no answers. The name thoughts felt like my own, so even if they were to talk to me that way, I'm not confident in knowing it's them or me just making up answers myself.
Using a letter chart with the pendulum takes too long for me I've found, as I get impatient quickly, and that will likely affect the replies with my energy I think.
Firstly, I'd recommend having multiple different ways to get answers to questions. Personally, I have two go-to divination tools that I am very proficient in. The first is for yes-or-no questions, and it is a basic deck of cards where one color answers yes, and one answers no. This is helpful because I can switch the color meanings to confirm a question if needed. The second is for more complex questions or predictions. That is the Tarot de Marseille. For you, the pendulum is just fine for yes-or-no questions. That is how I started. If you are comfortable with it, stick with it and pick up something else for more complex questions. I'd recommend some form of sortilege, such as runes, lots, tarot, etc. (especially for such a complex question as to how one is meant to go about moving to another continent on a whim).
My communication depends on a few things. If I need a quick question answered, I call the specific spirit(s) I wish to speak to to answer questions using the deck. I ask a protective power to lay their hand upon the deck and be sure that the answers are the truth and that only the spirit(s) I have named may answer the questions. Then I do a short breathing exercise/meditation (if I have the time), and I ask my question. I explain to the spirit my exact parameters (I need the card(s) to jump fully out of the deck, preferably one by one, and how many cards I will read - I do not read in spreads, but if you do, be sure to explain that spread to the spirit). If I have a bit more time, I usually ask my divinations during my daily offerings. I find that most spirits are more receptive to communicating during offerings, as you've given them something and they are pleased, so why not help out the human? Plus, they're all already there (presumably). During or after these more formal divination sessions, I will also meditate and try to receive any images, words, sounds, etc., and write them down (especially if they don't make sense in the moment), and possibly divine on them later. I find that these meditation sessions can give me brief sensations and thoughts that are usually even more helpful than the divination itself. Meditation will also help you with your struggle in determining, "was that a spirit speaking to me or just my own thoughts?" That's how I was, and sometimes still am, but there is a difference. It just takes time to figure it out, and it can be different for everyone.
As you can see, I am extremely formal and firm when it comes to my divinations, almost too much. I tend to doubt the spirits too much. However, they respond to all of the demands I make of them, especially since they have grown to appreciate my consistent daily offerings. This is something you should consider when determining if a spirit is who they say they are. I find that there are many ways that one could test the spirits. The easiest way is: Why would they want to fake being someone they aren't? In your case, why would the spirit want to fake being your guide or ancestor? In your case, I'd think about what advantage these spirits would have. Maybe feeding off of your stress about the situation, but I'm not sure about that. The most common thing that I find in spirits who ask for these extreme requests, like changing your whole life and doing exactly what they say, is that they will pose as someone they aren't so they can turn you into a religious fanatic who worships and follows them. Basically, some spirits really do want that kind of power in a practitioner's life, especially ones that they know could help the spirit in their endeavors in the spiritual realm and on Earth. In your case, I would directly contact your ancestors to confirm this. Ask them to appear to you in a dream or something. Ancestors will never go wrong with you (unless they hated you or something in their lives). They will usually want the actual best for you and want to protect you. Maybe give them an offering and send them some prayers asking for their guidance in this situation and to protect you from any trickster spirits. My ancestors, I always feel, are there, but they are definitely the quietest spirits, and I don't think they'd ask me to change my entire life in an instant. I find that the local spirits are louder and have a lot more to say than the ancestors. That is personal experience, of course. If you knew any of these ancestors in life, you could ask kind of random questions about their favorite things or play their favorite music or least favorite music for them and see how the spirit reacts. Have the questions you've been asking been what the ancestor would have told you when they were alive? If you never met these ancestors, from the stories you have heard, do the answers and overall personality of this spirit line up with this person? Basically, you have to interrogate them, but don't make it obvious. If they aren't your ancestors, you could ask many questions about you, since your spirit guide has presumably been with you your entire life. You have moved many times throughout your life, so these spirits should know about that and your family as well. Many trickster spirits, I have heard, are tied to an area, so they wouldn't have moved with you.
You can always, if you have the means, travel somewhere else far away and see if these spirits still respond. I just did this recently when I went from one country to another, and I got to see who followed me. Of course, this is an extreme example, and you probably don't need to do this.
Banishing is an option, although it is not my expertise.
Hope this helps!
