Abstract: One aspect is an illumination assembly including: a first light emitting element; a first counterweight; and at least one of a nock or a connector configured to attach the illumination assembly to a nock, such that the first light emitting element and the first counterweight are positioned symmetrically from each other relative to the nock on opposite sides of the nock. Preferably the first light emitting element is substantially the same mass as the first counterweight. The illumination assembly can include a shaft of an arrow or bolt and/or include an adapter configured to attach to a shaft of an arrow or bolt, such that the first light emitting element and the first counterweight are collinear on a virtual line substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the arrow or bolt, and such that the first light emitting element is positioned off of the central axis of the arrow or bolt and configured to emit light in a rearward direction offset from the central axis of the arrow or bolt.