Thank you for your guidance
My question about the difference between a Tarot deck and an Oracle deck was prompted by my purchase from a local shop on Thursday of Doreen Virtue's 'Magical Unicorns Oracle Cards'.
Not because I wanted more Oracle cards, but because I'm abidingly enchanted by Elizabeth Kyle's 'White Wind' painting of a blond woman in medieval dress on a unicorn, where the hair of the woman and the mane of the unicorn blend together in a most beautiful way.
This image was on the box of the deck, and the price was very modest compared to Tarot cards.
So buying this attractive deck allows me to enjoy this extraordinary image whenever I choose. One of the cards bears the same image, and another card has part of that image.
This 44 card deck is simple, positive, and very beautiful, and will be a most suitable introduction to Tarot/Oracle when my grandchildren are old enough to be interested.
I've now checked out all the information you've kindly given and pointed me to, and I've followed up all the threads and those they've led to.
I think I've got it now - I seemed to instinctively know which decks were Oracle rather than Tarot, and the threads have helped me to understand why.
Some interesting material was unearthed. I particularly liked: 'A Tarot is an Oracle Deck, but an Oracle is not necessarily a Tarot Deck', which showed me that questioning the difference between them was not relevant in the way I'd thought.
Another intriguing concept was unearthed as I followed the threads: that of combining Tarot and Oracle cards in the same reading. Food for thought!
What an amazing Forum this is, with such helpful and knowledgeable members. My Tarot understanding has grown in leaps and bounds since I've joined. Much appreciation to you all.